Crime & Safety

Explosion Levels Home in N.J.; Smoke Visible for Miles

Bucks County emergency personnel responded to the blast, which could be seen from many parts of the county.

A gas explosion Tuesday in Mercer County, N.J., leveled a townhome, damaged several others and sent at least seven people to the hospital. Smoke from the blast was visible for miles around, including across the river in Bucks County.

The explosion happened at about 1 p.m. at 28 Crockett Lane in Ewing Township, a suburb of Trenton, NBC10 reported.

PSE&G crews were working to repair a gas line, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported, when the explosion occurred. Five of those injured were PSE&G employees, and two were were contracted workers from a private company, Hinckels and McCoy, The Inquirer said. The workers were digging a hole when they struck a gas line, The Inquirer said.

Find out what's happening in Northamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

None of the injuries are life-threatening, NBC10 said.

The blast was loud that a number of people in the area thought a plan had crashed, NBC10 said.

Find out what's happening in Northamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Smoke from the explosion was visible up to 24 miles away, NBC10 reported. Patch has heard from a number of people in Bucks County who noticed the smoke to the east.

Bucks County emergency personnel responded to the scene of the explosion, The Inquirer said.

Lore Elementary School is about half a mile explosion site, The Inquirer said. Ewing Public Schools told the Inquirer that all students were safe, but that everyone would be kept indoors until dismissal.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.