The driver thought to be responsible for a chain of events leading to a building explosion in Wilmington, North Carolina, faces charges related to the incident.
Jason Lee Branch, age 46, stands accused of driving under the influence (felony serious injury), along with charges for possessing drug paraphernalia, hit-and-run/leaving the accident scene, reckless driving, and failure to maintain his lane, announced the Wilmington Police Department.
“He is currently being held under a $100,000 secured bond at the NHSO Detention Center,” officials wrote in a Facebook update on Tuesday evening.
The explosion occurred shortly after 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Eastern Carolina Veterinary Medical Center, as earlier reported by the Wilmington Fire Department. Officials stated that the blast happened when a car crashed into and damaged the gas lines supplying the building.
Video taken by a witness captured the dramatic scene of smoke and debris rising into the air following the explosion, with burning debris raining back down to the ground.
While no civilians were harmed in the explosion, officials reported injuries to four firefighters who had arrived to inspect the broken gas line. All four were taken to the hospital — three with injuries that were not life-threatening and one with severe burns on their hands and arms.
As updated on Wednesday morning, fire department officials stated that the firefighter with the most serious injuries was set to have surgery later that day at a burn center located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“Please continue to keep these brave firefighters in your thoughts and prayers as they continue their recovery,” the fire department wrote.
The incident is currently under investigation.
