By Phil Corso
An enormous gas explosion and ensuing second-alarm blaze at a private home in Howard Beach damaged during Hurricane Sandy sent one woman to the hospital with burns, the New York Post reported.
It took about an hour for firefighters to put out the flames after responding to calls of a wall collapse close to 2 p.m. Wednesday at 162-39 84th St., the FDNY said.
The boom left an elderly woman, Theresa Sandy Pipitone, critically injured and burned, the Post said.
Fire officials said the woman suffered burns and was taken to Jamaica Hospital.
The cause of the fire was still under investigation, the FDNY said, but the department’s Twitter account said the gas-fed blaze may have started in the basement of the house before spreading.
According to the Post, the home had some work done on it through the city’s Rapid Repairs program, which was geared to assist homeowners in the wake of natural disasters such as Superstorm Sandy. The Post said the home had received a new furnace and electrical wiring through the program.
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) offered his condolences and his office’s services after the news broke Wednesday.
“First and foremost, I pray for the health and complete recovery of Mrs. Pepitone, resident of the Howard Beach home on 84th Street that experienced a horrific gas explosion earlier today,” Addabbo said. “I am hopeful a quick and thorough investigation can be witnessed to determine the cause of this incident.”
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
