SOUTH RIVER, New Jersey – A tragic incident unfolded in a neighborhood in South River, New Jersey, with a deadly house explosion claiming the life of one person and leaving another seriously injured.
The blast occurred on Thursday evening, shaking the residents of the borough. The victim, identified as 62-year-old Kevin Gilbert, was found with fatal injuries and pronounced dead at the scene by authorities. Another man was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment following the explosion.
Initial reports from Mayor Peter Guindi indicated two fatalities, but this information was later corrected. Emergency responders arrived at a residence on Continental Court after receiving reports of the explosion around 7:03 p.m. The scene revealed two individuals suffering from severe injuries caused by the blast.
South River Fire Chief Craig Miller described the devastation, noting that the home appeared completely leveled with debris scattered across the surrounding area. Fortunately, neighbors were safely evacuated as fire crews worked to extinguish the flames well into the night.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward. This tragic event marks the second explosion in Middlesex County within consecutive days, following a separate incident in which a 73-year-old woman lost her life and four others were injured in a commercial building explosion in Old Bridge.
As the community grapples with this sudden loss, officials are working diligently to uncover the circumstances surrounding the explosion and provide support to those affected. Despite the devastation, solidarity and resilience shine through as neighbors come together to assist those in need during this difficult time.