Police were responding to a domestic dispute in Queens when an explosion suddenly occurred, sending the officers flying.
Gas explosion shakes Queens homes as NYPD rescues residents
Body camera footage showed NYPD officers responding to a 911 call about a domestic dispute in Queens when a sudden explosion tore through the building.
stringer hub
A fiery explosion at a New York City home injured several people, including several police officers responding to a domestic dispute, who were blown into the air by the explosion, police said.
New York City police responded to a residence in Queens at around 2:42 a.m. local time on April 30 after receiving a 911 call that a family member of the resident, Anroop Parasaram, 50, arrived intoxicated and armed with a knife. New York City Police Department Deputy Commissioner Christopher McIntosh said home security camera footage showed Parasaram forcefully heading into the basement of the apartment where his wife, daughter and two grandchildren live, carrying a garbage bag filled with a container of an unknown substance.
Mr McIntosh said his daughter and grandchildren managed to escape to safety, but the man began “threatening” the remaining victim with a knife, who was also able to safely leave the apartment.
McIntosh said officers were responding to the front door when a “large and violent” explosion occurred at 2:57 a.m. Police officers were reportedly thrown off their feet and thrown into the air. Some were reportedly thrown into the gate in front of the house. Eight people were treated for minor burns, and one suffered a laceration to the head that required stitches, Mr McIntosh said.
“Let me be clear: We were very lucky today. This could have gone really differently,” McIntosh said.
Officers got up and ran into the three-family home to help the people inside. McIntosh said they took one person to safety and the identities of everyone living there were determined. Several residents were also injured and taken to the hospital.
“They stood up and ran into the burning house because that’s what the job requires and that’s what they do every day,” McIntosh said. “Police officers face situations like this every day, not knowing if luck is on their side.”
Body camera footage released by police shows officers who were at the front door being thrown backwards when the explosion occurred. Police can be seen pulling crying children from the rubble in the aftermath.
New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani said: “We are grateful to the New York City Police Department, New York City Fire Department firefighters, and paramedics who rushed to the scene to rescue residents and worked to keep New Yorkers safe under extremely difficult circumstances.” “We wish all the injured a speedy recovery. We thank the police officers and firefighters for their extraordinary courage in the face of a complex and dangerous situation.”
McIntosh said at an April 30 press conference that the suspect is at large. One person was pronounced dead at the scene around 11:41 a.m. and is awaiting identification, the NYPD told USA TODAY in an update.
Fire Chief John Esposito said the fire prevented firefighters from entering and searching the scene and ultimately caused the building to collapse. Nearby buildings were also damaged. 16 people have been forced from their homes. About 300 firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene.
