SEYMOUR, Conn. — An investigation is now underway into what caused an explosion at a building near the corner of Maple Street and Pearl Street in Seymour.
Officials said they were called there around 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon for a report of a gas leak and explosion.
The explosion happened at a three-story multi-use building; a beauty parlor on the first floor with housing on the top two floors.
Police Wednesday said that the explosion was due to the leak of an underground propane tank in a basement apartment. The leak is believed to be recent and is isolated. Officials have not determined the explosions ignition source at this time.
Police said the incident is not believed to be criminal at this point.
"There's nothing that's pointing to criminal right now, but we have to cover all of our bases," said Chief John Bucherati of the Seymour Police Dept.
Investigators from the Seymour Fire Marshall's Office, the police department's Detective Bureau and the State Fire Marshall's office are still investigating.
There were five occupants in the building at the time of the explosion, and two of them had to be rushed to the hospital for burn injuries. They are being treated at Bridgeport Hospital's burn unit and are currently listed in critical condition, according to police. A third person was treated on the scene.
Adam Spark lives in the building and was home when it happened.
"I was on my couch, I heard a big boom," he said. "You come outside and you smell that gas and you just know that it was some sort of explosion."
"I immediately got up went to my door, made sure the elderly gentleman below me and the lady who owns the beauty parlor were okay and then I just smelled the gas I grabbed my most important documents and went out of here," Spark said.
Neighbors several houses down also heard the blast.
"As soon as the ambulance and the cops got there they were rushing in. All you heard was a big explosion where the house literally shook from the ground up," said Juan Carlos of Seymour.
Seymour explosion investigation
Doug Stewart is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newsteam@fox61.com
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.