Explosion destroys North Plainfield home as first responders battle flooding
The North Plainfield Fire Department says that when crews got to the scene around 11:30 p.m. Monday, the house was engulfed in flames.
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A home in North Plainfield was destroyed Monday night in an explosion during severe weather and flash flooding.
The North Plainfield Fire Department says that when crews got to the scene around 11:30 p.m. Monday, the house was engulfed in flames. Officials say crews had to make their way through about 2 feet of floodwater to fight the fire.
Officials said it was difficult to do a full search of the home at first to make sure everyone was accounted for. But News 12 has learned that the residents were not inside the house at the time of the explosion.
Neighbors across the street say they lost three cars and several motorcycles in their garage. Many say the damage was worse than what they experienced during Hurricane Ida.
"I was scared because I wanted to get everything up and it was so fast and it wasn't like it was back in Ida, we had time. This just came out of nowhere," said resident Brooke Zotollo.
More dangerous weather could be headed their way on Wednesday.
"Now we’re going to try and keep everything up as high as we can, so we don't lose anymore," said Zotollo.
The Red Cross is providing cleanup kits, food and shelter for those who need it at the Parks and Recreation Center at 614 Greenbrook Road in North Plainfield.
