A criminal probe is in progress in New Jersey after a man and woman perished when their house erupted in flames. Neighbors had reported hearing a “gigantic explosion” just prior to the incident.
Officers responded to reports of a loud explosion and fire just after 2 a.m. Sunday in Sewell, New Jersey, according to Fox 29 Philadelphia.
“We heard this gigantic explosion. It was so big, I felt like it rocked my whole house,” shared Suzanne Pinto, a local resident, explaining that her entire home trembled, prompting her to run outside and discover the neighboring house engulfed in a massive inferno.
The fire’s origin remains undetermined. According to reports from the local station, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office is treating the situation as a criminal investigation and plans to perform autopsies on both victims to obtain additional information. No other injuries have been reported.
A Ring camera captured the moment a house in Sewell, N.J., became engulfed in flames. (Fox 29 Philadelphia)
“Looked out the bedroom window, and the house next door was just full of flames,” Ralph said. “It’s a shock. It’s a shock. Who would have thought? You know, looking next door and there’s a house that was there, and now it’s gone. And the person in it is gone, too. And it’s devastating.”
Pinto said while she tried to check on her nearby neighbors to see if they were okay, she could tell that the residents inside the burning home couldn’t be saved, according to the outlet.
Nearby homes were damaged after residents reported a massive house explosion in New Jersey. (Fox 29 Philadelphia)
“We knew the house was in such a condition, no one could be rescued from that fire,” Pinto said.
“Just very tragic, very tragic,” Pinto added. “I see the guy every day. He has a dog. He walks up and down the street all day.”
