NJ Man Burns Half of His Body in Gas Explosion, County's Second in a Week: Authorities

A 47-year-old sustained a concussion and burns to 40 to 50 percent of his body in a natural gas explosion that rocked his Jersey Shore home, the second such blast to hit an Ocean County town in less than a week. 

Police say the Point Pleasant Beach man woke up about 1:40 a.m. Monday and smelled a strong odor of gas. They say he went to the bathroom, turned the light on and the house was rocked by an explosion and fire.

He's in stable condition at Saint Barnabas Medical Center's burn unit in Livingston.

The cause of the blast is under investigation.

It was the second gas explosion in the Jersey Shore county in less than a week.

On Tuesday, a natural gas explosion leveled a home in Stafford Township, injuring 15 people, two critically. Four other homes were heavily damaged in the blast.

Authorites are urging homeowners not to use open flames, electrical appliances, electronics or light switches if they think there is a gas leak. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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