Stafford Explosion Ruled Accidental

An open flame in a basement utility, meeting natural gas the leaked from a two-inch underground main, triggered the Tuesday blast that leveled the house, injured 11 and evacuated scores of neighbors, according to Ocean County investigators.

The explosion has been ruled accidental by the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

The explosion was traced to a utility room in the northeast corner of the basement. Gas leaking from a two-inch main beneath Oak Avenue traveled along a water main in order to enter the home, investigators said.

Damage was so extensive that they could not determine which type of appliance contained the flame, though a water heater, furnace and thermostat were suggested by a spokesman as likely sources.

New Jersey Natural Gas repair workers, police and firefighters had already been summoned to the spot on a report of a gas leak when the explosion rocked the quiet neighborhood not far from Route 9.

NJNG employee, Dean Barnett, 47, of Stafford was the most seriously injured in the blast and was airlifted to Atlanticare Regional Medical Center  in Atlantic City and remains in critical condition. Ed Jones of Marlton remains at the hospital’s trauma unit in stable condition. Five other NJNG employees were taken to Southern Ocean County Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.They are identified as Bill Sinclair of Manahawkin, Anthony Widmer of Manahawkin, Chris Smith from Pine Beach, Henry Garcia of Whiting and Carlos Rojas from Eagleswood.

Six Stafford Fire Department Firefighters were transported to Southern Ocean County Hospital for observation and have been released. They are Chief Jack Johnson and fire fighters Matt Dodds, John Fugee, Rick Pumphrey, George Yockachonis and Al Merlino. Stafford Towmship EMS members  Robert Keegan and Richard Drucker were also hospitalized and released.