Explosion In North Haven, Connecticut, Injures Multiple Officers

An explosion behind a home in North Haven, Connecticut, has injured eight police officers Wednesday night, CBS affiliate WFSB-TV reports, citing North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda. None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening, Freda said. A large fire was also burning early into Thursday morning.

North Haven police said they were investigating a domestic violence incident around 7 p.m. Wednesday that led to a barricaded individual and prompted a SWAT team response.

Freda explained that the man had taken his wife hostage and officers were trying to get him out when the explosion happened. State police said the suspect had not yet been apprehended and called it an active situation.

“It’s quite surprising,” Freda said. “This is a quiet residential neighborhood. It’s been a very emotional scene.”

The cause of the explosion is under investigation.

WFSB-TV

WFSB-TV reporter Matthew Campbell wrote that the suspect was still inside the home, but the wife was able to escape after being held for four days.

Police officials urge residents to avoid the area. Connecticut State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) also responded to the incident.

Images from a WFSB-TV photojournalist show the scene and a large amount of flames:

Campbell also caught video of two people being taken away in handcuffs, but it’s unclear what connection they may have to Wednesday night’s explosion.

North Haven resident Joan Mazurek, 76, a retired accountant, told The Associated Press that she heard what she thought was a train at her home about a mile away from the scene. It was the explosion.

“Then we heard all the, oh my God, all the ambulances and fire engines. The noise from all the emergency vehicles was unbelievable,” she told the AP. “It’s a shock. Nothing ever happens like this in North Haven.”

WFSB-TV reports that electricity to the area was turned off by police resulting in 174 customers without power.

North Haven is located just outside of New Haven and about 30 miles south of Connecticut’s capital Hartford.

CBS News’ senior investigative producer Pat Milton contributed to this report.