1 killed, several injured in Irvington explosion

At least one person was killed and at least four others were injured Friday in an apparent gas explosion that leveled two houses in Irvington.
The Essex County prosecutor says the explosion happened in a vacant home and a new home under construction on 22nd Street between 19th and 20th avenues. All the victims are construction workers. One of the trapped victims was able to use his cell phone to alert rescue workers to his location.
Investigators say the explosion occurred when one worker took dogs that were guarding the new home back inside. They say the home exploded when the worker opened the door. Authorities suspect a gas leak caused the blast.
Fire officials say rescue crews from Newark and Elizabeth, along with a dog, searched the rubble for other people. They claim the explosion caused debris to fly up to four blocks away and sparked several fires.
The four injured construction workers are recovering at St. Barnabas? burn unit in Livingston.
Click here for more on the workers who were injured in the blast.Click here for residents who were affected by the explosion.
For extended footage of the rescue efforts, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.