Hoboken, New Jersey Firefighters Find Left-On Pilot Triggered Blast

A preliminary report compiled by the Hoboken Fire Department noted that the building was not properly ventilated at the time Medina began applying polyurethane to the floors and that all potential ignition sources had not been turned off

June 29, 2004

An explosion in a Hoboken apartment building on Wednesday that left 54-year-old contractor Abraham Medina in critical condition was caused by the vapors from the sealant he was applying to the floors coming in contact with the pilot light on the hot water heater, Hoboken Fire Capt. Robert Falco said yesterday.

Medina, who owns Washington Floor, a Hoboken-based company, had been hired by the building's managers to finish the floors of an empty apartment on Washington Street between Eighth and Ninth streets.

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