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WILMINGTON, N.C. — Four firefighters were injured in an explosion caused by a gas line rupture at a Wilmington veterinary clinic late Tuesday morning, authorities said.
A car went off the road and hit gas lines into the building housing the Eastern Carolina Veterinary Medical Center just after 11 a.m., the Wilmington Fire Department said. The driver ran from the scene but was later arrested.
No one was inside the clinic, which was under construction and set to host an open house and ribbon cutting Sept. 6, according to a Facebook post. Mayor Bill Saffo and other city council members were expected to attend. 
While firefighters were inside checking the building, there was an explosion that injured three of them, authorities said. One suffered severe burns to the arms, the fire department said, and the other two had injuries that were not life-threatening.
Another firefighter suffered non life-threatening injuries going into the building after the explosion.
All four were taken to the hospital, authorities said.
The fire was under control at about 2 p.m. and the gas line was secured, firefighters said.
Veterinary clinic officials on Tuesday afternoon said they were still assessing the situation but confirmed that staff and construction workers were accounted for and safe. No pets were in the building, they said.   
The driver of the vehicle that hit the building, Jason Lee Beach of Wilmington, fled the crash but was arrested Tuesday afternoon, authorities said. Beach is facing five charges related to the explosion.
Police said at a news conference that impairment was suspected and that the N.C. State Highway Patrol was helping in that investigation. 
Much of New Centre Drive was closed as firefighters battled the blaze, and the public was urged to avoid the area. Debris from the blast littered the street Tuesday afternoon.
The fire is under investigation.

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