VIDEO: A retired Jefferson County firefighter died as a result of an explosion at a home in the Town of Rome on Tuesday afternoon, July 27.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene moments after the explosion – shortly before 2 p.m. Officials say the debris field from the explosion was roughly a full city block. The cause of the explosion may be a natural gas leak, officials said.
We Energies were dispatched to the scene – and disconnected the gas and electricity for the residence. Once that was done, firefighters were able to get back into the scene – and fully extinguish the fire. Roughly 1,200 people lost power as a result of the explosion. All were expected to be restored in short order.
There were no other injuries.