House consumes in flames after explosion during flash flooding in New Jersey

In the wake of severe weather across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic region, a house in North Plainfield, New Jersey caught fire late Monday evening following a reported explosion. This incident occurred amid torrential downpours that resulted in severe flash flooding in various areas. The North Plainfield Fire Chief confirmed that when firefighters arrived on the scene, they found the home fully engulfed in flames. First responders quickly evacuated victims and neighbors from the floodwaters surrounding the site. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries, though the property was completely destroyed, with remnants left in rubble. At the time of this incident, New Jersey was experiencing statewide emergencies due to the flooding, with some locations receiving more than six inches of rain within a few hours. Tragically, as floodwaters rose, at least two individuals lost their lives when their vehicle was swept away. The situation forced state officials, including Governor Phil Murphy, to declare a state of emergency Monday night in response to the dangerous and life-threatening conditions stemming from the severe storm. Investigators have not yet released an official cause of the explosion or subsequent fire, as firefighters continued their operations on Tuesday morning. Images from the scene depicted parts of the destroyed house torn from its foundation, along with walls reduced to a pile of debris. Meanwhile, first responders managed the chaotic scene, carefully escorting individuals through shin-deep water and ensuring no one else was in harm's way. The intense response highlighted the potential dangers posed by both the flooding and fire hazards that were occurring simultaneously in the region. In another incident unrelated to the explosion, crews battled a house fire in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. This fire notably involved an attached garage, which drew significant emergency response. Although no injuries were reported in this case, authorities asked the public to avoid the area due to smoke conditions. As investigations for both incidents unfold, further updates will provide clarity on the timing and circumstances leading up to these unfortunate events.