Lubbock Fire Rescue Division Chief Steve Holland confirms there was an explosion at a house in Tech Terrace Tuesday night around 10 p.m. The explosion happened in the 2900 block of 21st Street and caused a two-alarm fire.
Witnesses said the explosion was felt several blocks away. Windows in the house across the street were shattered by the blast. A house on the corner of 21st & Canton actually had a piece of debris from the explosion land on their roof.
According to the Lubbock Police Department, multiple victims were found at the scene when they arrived.
One of the victims, 72-year-old John Fleming, was pronounced deceased at the scene, while three additional victims were taken to University Medical Center by ambulance with serious injuries. Officials say 45-year-old Rodica Gelca, one of the three taken to the hospital, was later pronounced deceased at UMC.
The additional two who were transported are expected to recover, according to officials. Also, two Lubbock Fire Fighters were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Their names will not be released by officials.
According to our research, John Flemming owned the home and ran the business E2Amm LLC out of the home. The company manufactures hydrogen and ammonia modules. At this time, authorities have not said if the chemicals in the home caused the explosion.
"It appears we're getting some high-level readings on some of our gas monitors, it appears this could be a hazardous material scene, we're asking everybody to stay out of the area and especially out of the smoke until we figure out what's going on, also PD and FMO is going to cordon this area off as a possible crime scene," said Lubbock Fire Rescue Division Chief Steve Holland.
Lubbock Police are still on the scene and are working with Lubbock Fire Rescue in order to properly secure the area.
Detectives with Lubbock Police Department’s Persons Crime Unit are currently investigating.
Fire investigators have not identified a cause of this fire at this time.
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