Investigation into Wilmington gas explosion at veterinary clinic - Hindustan Times

Wilmington police were called to address a gas leak following a car accident that damaged a gas line on New Centre Drive near Bob King Drive. The gas line served the future site of the Eastern Carolina Veterinary Medical Center. The gas line exploded shortly after the collision, resulting in multiple injuries, as reported by Wilmington Police Department Public Information Officer Greg Willett. The incident led to traffic disruptions in the area, with authorities advising avoidance of New Centre Drive due to the ongoing emergency response. Local media outlets, such as Star News Online, reported on the situation, indicating that three firefighters were injured, with two suffering minor injuries and one experiencing severe burns to the hand. Emergency services responded swiftly after the explosion, ensuring that no civilians were inside the building during the incident. A suspect was apprehended after fleeing the scene, although their identity and any potential charges have not been disclosed. The explosion caused significant damage to a building on New Centre Drive, slated to be the new home of the veterinary medical center, which was set to open in September. Efforts to contain the situation have led to the closure of most of New Centre Drive to traffic.