Water Mill home catches fire after gas explosion; 2 hurt

WATER MILL, N.Y. (WABC) -- Police said two construction workers have been injured following a house explosion in the Hamptons community of Water Mill.

According to Southampton Town police, the house on Old Country Road and Montauk Highway was destroyed in the blast and subsequent fire. They said the workers were renovating the home when they accidentally cut a gas pipe. The house on Old Country Road in Water Mill was fully involved when firefighters arrived just after 2:15 p.m.

Police said 40-year-old Rolando Perez and 18-year-old Abner Canel, both of Riverhead, were in the basement working on renovating the home. They were airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital with extensive burns. Perez was listed in stable condition and Canel was listed in critical condition.

Witnesses said both men appeared to have scorched clothing and various burns, but were walking around the scene. Firefighters cleared a landing zone at the nearby Parrish Art Museum for medevac helicopters, which rushed the victims to Stony Brook.

The house was leveled, with debris strewn on neighboring lawns. Some other condos were damaged, and building inspectors were on the scene.

National Grid workers also responded to the scene. Spokeswoman Wendy Ladd said the gas company had workers in the area and immediately shut off gas to the house to assist firefighters.

County Road 39 is closed to traffic near the site. Montauk Highway is also shut down eastbound in the vicinity of Cobb Road and CR 39.

The town fire marshal's office is investigating.

The Associated Pres contributed to this report.