'Everyone thought a bomb had exploded': 12 families relocated following apartment building explosion in Newark

The explosion on Friday was caught on video. Windows were sent flying and left shards of glass everywhere. Witnesses say several people were trapped under debris.

Lanette Espy and Ali Reid

Jul 24, 2023, 10:25 AM

Updated 368 days ago

Share:

More than 30 people remain displaced following an apartment explosion in Newark over the weekend. Six people were injured. One person is being treated for serious burns.
The explosion on Friday at Stephen Crane Village apartments was caught on video. Windows were sent flying and left shards of glass everywhere. Witnesses say several people were trapped under debris.
Demolition crews remained at the scene over the weekend and tore down what was left of the apartment which is now covered by a tarp. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka says it's an all-hands-on-deck effort.
“We have architects looking at what can be salvaged, our engineers looking at the building, so there's a lot of things happening all at once,” Baraka said.
The American Red Cross says its Disaster Action Team is helping 12 families affected by the explosion on South Pine Lane with emergency assistance for food, clothing and other needs. The Red Cross says Newark Housing Authority has provided temporary lodging to the families.
The official cause of the explosion has not been determined. Neighbors say they smelled gas during recent construction on the building. They believe this was a gas explosion.
One witness said, “people kept saying they smelled gas so why wasn’t anybody on it quicker?”
PSE&G crews shut off gas over the weekend to make the area safe. A fence is also up Monday, blocking anyone from entering the adjacent apartments that have been red tagged.
One woman says she was less than a block away before the explosion. She says she saw a man climbing on top of rubble and screaming.
Another witness said the explosion was the scariest thing they’ve ever seen in their life.
“Everyone thought a bomb had exploded,” the witness told News 12 New Jersey. “It's not terrifying, its horrifying. And its unimaginable.”
An investigation into what caused the explosion is still ongoing.


More from News 12
2:16
Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

2:11
Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

0:46
New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

1:43
Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

0:44
Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

1:01
‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

0:29
Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

0:55
EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

0:20
West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

0:30
Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

0:15
East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

0:30
No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

1:04
Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

0:15
Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

0:23
2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

0:18
$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

1:59
Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

1:17
Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program