US House Collapse: 10 Hospitalised, 'Mass Casualty' Declared In Syracuse, New York

In Syracuse, New York, a tragic incident occurred on Tuesday where a catastrophic failure resulted in severe injuries to 10 people, with firefighters conducting rescue operations to extract victims from a collapsed house.

Reports indicate that up to 20 individuals may have been present inside the residence at the time of the incident.

US House Collapse: 10 Hospitalised - Here's What We Know

Authorities are currently conducting a search to locate any additional individuals who might still be trapped under the debris, according to official statements. Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds provided details to the press regarding the injuries sustained by the victims. He mentioned that eight individuals are in critical condition and require advanced life support, while two others are stable and receiving basic life support.

Chief Monds expressed appreciation for the efforts of the rescue teams, highlighting that a total of 13 people were successfully rescued from the collapsed structure. The operation involved approximately 50 firefighters and was described as a prolonged and challenging effort, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Was it a Gas Explosion or Vehicle Impact?

The exact cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, although initial reports suggest that it may have been triggered by a gas explosion within the house. Witnesses inside the residence reported smelling gas shortly before the explosion occurred, followed by the structural collapse.

Alternatively, dispatch audio initially indicated that a vehicle collision into the garage of the residence could have contributed to the collapse, resulting in multiple injuries. Chief Monds also noted that a fire had broken out at the rear of the house, complicating rescue efforts.

Upon entering the severely damaged building, rescue crews found several individuals trapped inside a vehicle within the garage area. There was also a notable presence of gas odour emanating from the building, as reported by Syracuse fire officials. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene in Syracuse's Northside neighbourhood, where Carbon Street has been closed off between Oberst and John Streets to facilitate ongoing rescue operations, as per media reports.

Syracuse Police, Fire Department personnel, and AMR (American Medical Response) teams are actively involved in the search and rescue efforts amidst the debris of the collapsed home. Witnesses from the local community recounted how the explosion shook neighbouring houses and scattered debris, likening the impact to that of a volcanic eruption that affected the entire block.

In response to the incident, New York Governor Kathy Hochul took to social media to announce that the state stands ready to provide assistance to the emergency response teams on the ground, offering support as needed in the aftermath of this devastating event.