About 20 minutes before the explosion in Wilmington, a car had run off the road and struck a gas meter that feeds into the Eastern Carolina Veterinary Medical Center, which was still under construction, Wilmington Police Department spokesperson Greg Willett said at a news conference. The crash was a hit-and-run with the driver fleeing the scene before police could arrive, he added.
The building was quickly evacuated after authorities realized the gas line connected to the veterinary hospital. However, as firefighters were searching the building to make sure it had been vacated, it exploded, said Wilmington Fire Department spokesperson Rebekah Thurston at the news conference.
Three of the firefighters were injured during the explosion and subsequently hospitalized, two of them with non-life-threatening injuries and another with severe burns to their hands and arms, Thurston said.
Police were able to track down the suspected driver of the car, who was taken into custody, police said. The driver was under evaluation by the North Carolina Highway Patrol after showing signs of impairment, Willett said.
The driver has since been identified as 46-year-old Jason Lee Beach, who was turning into an auto dealership when the car went off the road and hit the gas line to the building. He’s been charged DWI, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit-and-run, reckless driving and failure to maintain a lane, according to police.
DONT MISS:
“At this time, the situation is active, and emergency crews are working to secure the area and ensure public safety. We are asking the public to avoid New Centre Drive and the surrounding area entirely until further notice,” Wilmington police said in a preliminary press release.
Eastern Carolina Veterinary Referral had expected to open its new building in September, according to its website. The medical center planned to offer 24/7 emergency care for pets.
SEARCH
CONNECT WITH US
THE-EXPRESS.COM
The Express uses notifications to keep you updated
