A Wilmington man was arrested after he crashed into a building and ruptured a gas line, causing an explosion and injuring four firefighters Tuesday, police say. 
According to Wilmington police, 46-year-old Jason Beach hit a veterinary clinic on New Centre Drive and ruptured a gas line around 11:30 a.m. According to the clinic’s website, this location is their newest building and was expected to open in September. 
Wilmington police said Beach was driving to a car dealership when he went off the road and hit the gas line to the building. He drove away, but was later found and arrested by authorities. 
One of the firefighters had second- and third-degree burns on his hands and was taken to the UNC Burn Center in Chapel Hill, where had surgery Wednesday, according to Wilmington fire department. Three others were released from the hospital on Tuesday night. It is unclear how severe all of the firefighters’ injuries are.
No other injuries were reported.
“It was loud to the point that the people sitting in the booth, it hurt their ears,” said Jocelyn Coronel, who works near the explosion site.
The explosion scene was cleared on Tuesday evening.
The veterinary clinic posted on Facebook that since the building was still under construction, there were no pets on the premises yet. They continue to operate at full capacity at their original location on Greenville Avenue.
Beach was charged with one felony count of causing serious injury by vehicle. He’s also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, hit-and-run, reckless driving to endanger and failure to maintain lane control. 
He is held on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday at 2 p.m.
In addition to this explosion, the N.C. coasts are already dealing with and preparing for chaos as nearby in Wrightsville Beach, danger lurked in the water. There were 15 rip current rescues on Tuesday with Hurricane Erin expected to bring some high waves and strong winds.

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