‘It looks like utter devastation’ – Explosion obliterates house

<p>An explosion obliterated a Sussex County home Tuesday night and caused homes miles away to shake.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 28, 2018, 3:35 PM

Updated 1,969 days ago

Share:

An explosion obliterated a Sussex County home Tuesday night and caused homes miles away to shake.
The explosion happened around 11 p.m. at the home on Grumm Road. Officials say that no one was living in the home at the time and that there were no injuries reported. But the blast could be heard and felt for miles.
Officials say that many county residents called 911 because they thought there had been an earthquake in the area.
“Basically the whole house shook. We ran outside. We didn’t know what the hell happened,” says neighbor John Ferrentino.
“I felt like someone drove into my neighbor’s house,” says Richie Molinini.
Local, state and federal investigators were at the scene to sift through the rubble to see what may have caused the explosion.
“It looks like utter devastation. It looks like something you’ve never seen before,” says Sussex County Fire Marshall Virgil Rome. “They're digging through the rubble trying to find wiring, piping, tubing, remnants of appliances. No stone is left unturned basically.”
Officials say propane tanks outside the home remained intact, leading investigators to believe whatever ignited was inside the home.
Rome says that some debris from the explosion struck nearby Wallkill Valley Regional High School.
“We found pieces as far as 200 yards away,” he says.
The school sustained some structural damage and classes were canceled Wednesday. Officials say that if the explosion happened during school hours the situation could have been a lot worse.


More from News 12
0:22
Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

Police: Marlboro teacher accused of inappropriately touching student faces charges

Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

Man who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial has ties to New Jersey

1:55
Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

Scattered rain showers overnight; sunshine returns Saturday afternoon

1:54
Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

Authorities: 2 children at Port Reading school become sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies

2:45
Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

Business owners say they are losing business due to Route 71 bridge being stuck in up position

1:42
Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

Prosecutor: Remains found at Wall construction site were of ‘advanced age’

0:27
Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

Prosecutors: Atlantic City’s Central Pier bursts into flames; 1 man dead

0:25
Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

Boil water advisory issued for parts of Monmouth County

0:48
Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

Ridgewood mayor shares photos showcasing renovation of former Warner Theater

1:37
Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

Officials: Some Marlboro schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive bomb threat 2nd day in a row

0:31
Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

Start of Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial is delayed a week to mid-May

0:35
How to get rid of unused or expired medications

How to get rid of unused or expired medications

2:51
EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

EPA: Elevated levels of lead found at multiple East Trenton homes, parks

0:36
NJ General Assembly passes bill to combat school bus driver shortage

NJ General Assembly passes bill to combat school bus driver shortage

0:24
Former NJ elementary school employee sentenced for possession of child porn involving at least 79 victims

Former NJ elementary school employee sentenced for possession of child porn involving at least 79 victims

2:32
Main Street New Jersey: Some great food spots to try in South River

Main Street New Jersey: Some great food spots to try in South River

0:25
NJ Department of Education awarding over $9 million in grants to help students with disabilities

NJ Department of Education awarding over $9 million in grants to help students with disabilities

2:19
Paws & Pals: Ellie Mae now up for adoption with Best Friend Dog and Animal Adoption

Paws & Pals: Ellie Mae now up for adoption with Best Friend Dog and Animal Adoption

Is your mom awesome? New Jersey tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? New Jersey tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12