Updated: Man Seriously Hurt in Syosset House Explosion

A large explosion in a Syosset home off Alexander Drive Thursday seriously injured a man inside the home, damaged surrounding houses and sent shockwaves through the neighborhood. 

Brian Welsh was in the home on Alexander Drive when it exploded around 12:20 p.m., officials said.

Welsh is in stable condition and is currently in the burn unit at Nassau University Medical Center with second degree burns, according to Shelley Lotenberg, a hospital spokesperson. He is alert. She did not know how much of his body was burned.

Welsh has been a counselor at in Dix Hills for about 11 years, according to Chris Geed, school district spokesperson.

The roof of the home collapsed and Welsh was trapped inside and was airlifted to Nassau University Medical Center by Nassau County Police Aviation units, according to officials. 

Syosset Fire Chief Robert Kaplan said there was no smell of gas from inside the home. The cause of the explosion is currently being investigated by fire marshals and no other injuries were reported.

Neighbors said the blast felt like a small earthquake. 

"It was a big boom, and I could feel it inside my chest," said Kaila Barker, a student who lives down the block. "We went outside and looked over and we saw the roof all shaken up. I don't even know how to describe it."

The Bethpage Fire Departments Technical Rescue Team was called to the scene to shore up the home and inspect the unstable structure with cameras and to make sure no one else was inside.

National Grid and LIPA were called to shut of the utilities as emergency personnel worked on shutting off the natural gas to the home at the street connection.

The explosion was felt blocks away, according to a resident at the scene. A woman who appeared emotionally distraught was escorted away by police.

Joseph Bernowitz was watching television at a friend's house three blocks away when he felt the explosion and said he initially thought it was a big car crash. 

"It was a very unsettling feeling," Bernowitz said. "I didn't really hear it, but I felt my house shake. It was earth-moving, not really knowing what's going on."