Gas pipeline explosions are occurring with recurring frequency across the United States in 2020. Had it not been for the COVID-19 pandemic and the national elections dominating media headline space, these gas pipeline explosions would be the fodder for major news stories. Englewood, New Jersey, was the latest U.S. community witnessing a large-scale gas pipeline explosion in recent days, a violent blast that demolished a commercial building. Fortunately, no one has been reported killed or seriously injured in the explosion and ensuing fire, according to Michael Wildes, the Mayor of the North Jersey city.
Residents were rattled by the strength of the Englewood, New Jersey, gas pipeline explosion. The blast could be heard and even felt a significant distance around the building destroyed building. What residents described as a black mushroom cloud arose over the blast site and began spreading outward. Residents of Manhattan, New York, 25 minutes away, were witness to the ballooning black mushroom cloud as well.
Four fire stations responded to the significant blaze. In fact, over 200 firefighters were called to the scene because of massive size of the blaze. They did manage to get the blaze under control by afternoon, following the 8:30 a.m. gas pipeline explosion.
The building that was destroyed by the explosion and subsequent fire housed a shoe distribution company. The building not only was situated next to other commercial structures but very near an apartment complex as well. Fortunately, the firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to other commercial structures and the apartment complex.
Investigators have begun their work on identifying the specific reason why the gas pipeline ruptured and blew. As of a couple of days following the explosion and fire, investigators had not reported anything beyond the fact that a pipeline exploded, resulting in a major fire.
Health and environmental officials have spoken to the issue of the smoke plume that headed upward and moved outward from the blast zone. When an event of this nature occurs that generates a smoke cloud, particularly a substantial one, there is always a worry about the possible spread of toxic substances.
In many cases, when a smoke plume rises above a fire, explosion, or gas pipeline rupture, local health authorities issue shelter in place orders until the contents of the smoke can be identified. No such order issued in the case of last week’s Englewood, New Jersey explosion. Additionally, health and environmental officials are yet to release any official data about the content of the smoke plume and any possible risks that might be associated with it.
A stark reality associated with explosions, fires, and smoke plumes is that there is a myriad of instances in which people become ill some time after exposure. Every year, many people are diagnosed with illnesses and diseases that are traced back to exposure to smoke of the kind spewed out by fires and explosions that occurred what sometimes is a significant period of time in the past.
While people appeared to have escaped serious injury from the Englewood commercial building explosion, that is oftentimes not the case. Time and again, people are seriously and even fatally injured in gas pipeline explosions as well as other types of blasts and industrial accidents. If you’ve been injured in an explosion accident, or if you’ve lost a beloved family in this type of catastrophe, the experienced, caring, tenacious legal team at The Doan Law Firm is here for you.
We’ve established a personal injury hotline at (800) 349-0000 that is staffed by professionals around the clock, 365 days a year, including major holidays. As we are a nationwide law firm, you can schedule an appointment with an explosion accident lawyer at any one of our 40 offices located from coast to coast. We can even arrange for a virtual initial consultation and case evaluation with an explosion accident attorney online. There is no charge and no obligation for a case evaluation with a Doan Law Firm explosion accident lawyer.
The Doan Law Firm makes an attorney fee promise to you. No matter the type of personal injury case might have, our firm never charges an attorney fee unless we win for you.