New Jersey home obliterated in explosion that injures one

RIDGEFIELD, N.J. – An off-duty New Jersey police officer pulled a man from burning rubble after an explosion obliterated the man's home.

At 11:25 a.m. Monday,the officer called in an explosion at thehome, said Ridgefield Chief Thomas Gallagher.  The officer was walking when he heard and saw the house explode.

Firefighters and first responders arrived shortly after to battle the flames. One person was injured, confirmed authorities. The unidentified victim was taken to the hospital. 

The officer was not injured, said Gallagher.

The cause of the fire was not known, but the destruction was almost complete. Little more than splintered wood and charred, blackened rubble remained of the two-story home. Much of the debris had partially buried a car, crushing the front end of it.

The officer dug through debris to rescue the victim, as firefighters and officers tried to suppress the flames, said Gallagher. 

Christian Torres, who lives across the street, remembers hearing a loud boom and his mother panicking.

"I was just in my room and at my computer, and I heard a loud boom," said Torres. "The house started shaking. My mom started calling my name, freaking out. She thought it was an earthquake, something, or an attack."

When he walked out, all that was left of the house was a pile of dirt and debris, he said.

Follow Rodrigo Torrejon and Kaitlyn Kanzler on Twitter: @rod_torrejon and @KaitlynKanzler8.