Ocean County Home Exploded While Gas Crews Were Trying To Repair Gas Main Break

by Patricia A. Miller

The cause of the natural gas explosion of a home on Oak Avenue on Tuesday in Manahawkin has been deemed accidental, a spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said.

New Jersey Natural Gas employees were already on the scene before 9 a.m. and were attempting to repair a two- inch gas main in response to a strong odor of gas in the area of 55 Oak Avenue. The explosion occurred at 10:32 a.m. at 59 Oak Avenue, while repairs were still underway, said Al Della Fave.

Dean Barnett, 47, of Stafford Township was critically injured and was airlifted to Atlantic Care in Atlantic City. He is listed in critical condition, Della Fave said.

Two other NJNG workers had non-life threatening injuries and were taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center. Three other NJNG employees were also taken to SOCH for observation, along with six Stafford Township firefighters, he said.

A list of the injured and their conditions will be released later today, Della Fave said

Authorities traced the source of the blast to the northeast corner basement utility room in the home, he said

“The cause of the explosion was determined to be accidental by natural gas leaking from a 2” natural gas main in the street of Oak Avenue, communicating along the water main into the basement of the structure and ultimately igniting from an open flame of the structure’s utilities causing the explosion,” Della Fave said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit, with assistance from Stafford Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI, and the Ocean County Fire Marshall conducted the investigation into the orgin and cause of the blast, Della Fave said.

A number of homes in the area had to be evacuated, he said.