The Latest: Off-duty cop may have saved house blast victim

RIDGEFIELD, N.J. — The Latest on an explosion that levelled a house in New Jersey (all times local):

6:10 p.m.

An off-duty police officer’s quick actions may have saved the life of a man inside a house that exploded in northern New Jersey.

Hagop Cigercioglu was walking nearby when the house exploded Monday in Ridgefield, just outside New York City.

The 14-year veteran called for help. He then helped the first officers on the scene clear away the rubble to pull out the man after they heard him moaning.

The victim was taken to a hospital.

Authorities say one firefighter and two police officers suffered minor injuries fighting the blaze. The cause is under investigation.

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3:30 p.m.

An explosion has levelled a home in northern New Jersey, injuring the lone person inside who was pulled from the burning rubble by an off-duty police officer.

Heavy flames and a large plume of smoke were visible as the two-story home quickly crumbled to the ground after the Monday morning explosion in Ridgefield. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the explosion.

Authorities say the person inside the home was rescued by an off-duty police officer who happened to be nearby. The officer, whose name was not released, dug through some debris to free the person with the help of other responders.

Town officials initially said the person in the home wasn’t injured. But authorities later said that person suffered undisclosed injuries and was taken to a hospital.

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2 p.m.

A home in northern New Jersey has been levelled by an explosion, but the lone person inside the residence apparently escaped serious injury.

The explosion occurred shortly before noon Monday in Ridgefield. Neighbors reported hearing a blast shortly before the fire broke out, but it wasn’t immediately clear what caused the explosion.

Authorities say the person inside the home was rescued by an off-duty police officer who happened to be nearby. The officer, whose name was not released, dug through some debris to free the person with the help of other responders.

Town officials initially said the person in the home wasn’t injured. But authorities later said that person suffered undisclosed injuries and was taken to a hospital, where they were listed in stable condition.

Debris from the explosion was strewn across the neighbourhood, and some nearby homes suffered minor damage.

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1:15 p.m.

A home in northern New Jersey has been levelled by an explosion, but the lone person inside the residence escaped unharmed.

The explosion occurred shortly before noon Monday in Ridgefield. Neighbors reported hearing a blast shortly before the fire broke out, but it wasn’t immediately clear what caused the explosion.

Authorities say the person inside the home was rescued by an off-duty police officer who happened to be nearby. The officer, whose name was not released, dug through some of the debris to free the person.

A car was seen buried under the flaming debris at the residence, with the charred remains of what appeared to be the roof crushing the vehicle’s front end.

Firefighters climbed onto of the roof of a neighbouring home as they battled the flames.

The Associated Press