Wilmington, NC, Firefighters Hurt When Car Strikes Gas Line, Causes Explosion

Three Wilmington firefighters were injured Tuesday, one seriously, after a vehicle struck a building and ignited a gas explosion. 

Police told WECT that a vehicle was making a turn when it left the road and hit a gas line going into the Eastern Carolina Veterinary Referral building, which is undergoing renovations. 

Wilmington firefighters -- but no civlians -- were inside the structure investigating when the powerful explosion occurred, sending debris into the air.

One firefighter, who suffered extensive burns to his hands, remains in a specialy care hospital while two others were released after treatment.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the gas line took off after the incident.

Jason Lee Beach, 46, fled the scene after the crash. But he was located and charged with driving while intoxicated, felony serious injury, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit and run/leaving the scene, reckless driving and failure to maintain lane, The Star News reported.

“It kind of felt like something fell on the ceiling," Kate Fersinger, who works nearby, told a reporter. "We came out and the building was completely on fire and there were already people on scene responding. It was a massive fire in two spots, but it looks like they got it under control mostly. It was scary.”