Plumber speaks out after vehicle explosion shakes South Ozone park Neighborhood

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A car explosion in South Ozone Park, Queens, sent debris flying and damaged nearby homes, startling residents on 133rd Street just before 7 a.m. Friday morning, ABC News 7 informs.
 

Firefighters received multiple calls from concerned neighbors who reported hearing an explosion on their block. The blast was reportedly caused by leaking gas tanks in the car, which had been parked overnight.
 

FDNY Deputy Chief George Healy stated that lithium-ion batteries stored in the vehicle were safely contained by the hazmat unit and did not ignite. The explosion caused damage to five homes and five vehicles nearby. Fortunately, some people had moved away from the immediate vicinity moments before the blast.
 

The vehicle belongs to Dinell Harricharan, a plumber who stores natural gas and acetylene tanks for work in his car. Harricharan noted that his brother and mother had intended to use the car just after the explosion. He speculated that the sensitive alarm system on his 2011 Infiniti might have been triggered by a passing vehicle, potentially sparking the blast.
 

"I was shocked to see the damage," Harricharan said. "We always secure the tanks and make sure they’re closed, but we’ve learned it’s not safe to keep them in the car."
 

Harricharan expressed relief that no one was hurt. "We’re just grateful no one was injured and that no one passing by was harmed."
 

The incident is a significant loss for his family business, as they will need to replace both the car and the tools stored inside.
 

According to the Department of Buildings, there was no structural damage to nearby homes. Investigators are examining whether improper storage or sealing of the tanks caused gas to accumulate, triggering the explosion.
 

“They must be stored upright; they can’t be on their side,” Deputy Chief Healy advised, emphasizing the importance of safety practices in handling such materials.
 

The NYPD Bomb Squad was also called to investigate the scene.



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