Shelton House Explosion Injures Three [Updated]

Update as of 5:45 p.m. on Sept. 10:

Shelton police have released information about the circumstances that a preliminary investigation revealed led to the explosion today inside the residence at 67 Wopowog Trail.

According to police Sgt. Kevin Ahern, was installing new propane tanks in the basement of the house. A leak reportedly occurred and then led to an explosion. The force of the blast shattered the structure's main support beam, which is located directly above the tanks, Ahern said.

Two employees of the Shelton-based company — Gary Henry, 24, of Waterbury, and Randy Fera, 59, of Stratford — were among the three individuals injured in the explosion. Police identified the other victim as Luke Lauretti, 48, a friend of the homeowners who is also the brother of Shelton Mayor Mark A. Lauretti.

According to Ahern, Lauretti is in critical condition, while Fera was taken to Bridgeport Hospital's burn unit. Henry's injuries are believed to be life-threatening, he said.

No one that lives in the house was injured.

Update as of 3:45 p.m. on Sept. 10:

One of the victims of the Wopowog house explosion is the brother of Shelton Mayor Mark A. Lauretti, Bridgeport Hospital spokesman John Cappiello confirmed.

Update as of 3:35 p.m. on Sept. 10:

Bridgeport Hospital spokesman John Cappiello confirmed that three patients have been transported from the Shelton house explosion.

"All are adult males and all are in critical condition," Cappiello said.

Update as of 3:15 p.m. on Sept. 10:

A large crowd of neighbors has gathered outside the house at 67 Wopowog Trail as police and fire continue to investigate an explosion that shook this southern section of Shelton.

One neighbor, Bart Bakota, said he heard a huge boom and thought it was a car accident. But when he looked outside he said he saw three men rushing from the house across the street, covered in smoke. One man appeared to be severly burned on his face and hands, Bakota said.

Another neighbor, Glen Spray, said, "I heard one big boom and at first I thought it was a tree falling and then I heard cries and screams and then all the trucks came."

According to a statement just released by the , the house was on fire when units arrived. It was extinguished and three individuals were transported to the hospital.

The Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the explosion, police said.

The original report follows:

At least three people are being transported to the hospital for injuries sustained from an explosion in a Wopowog Trail house in Shelton.

Investigators are still on scene and while an official determination of the cause has not been released, sources on scene say the explosion appears to be the result of a propane tank. The explosion reportedly occurred just before 2 p.m. today, Sept. 10.

The Connecticut Post reports that five victims were transported to the hospital, including three in critical condition.

The two-story house is tucked in a neighborhood between Route 8 and the Housatonic River in the southern part of the city.

Shelton Patch is on scene and will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

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