Early A.M. Explosion Sends 4 to Hospitals; Blast's Cause Undetermined

By Desiree Parker Thursday, March 25, 2010

Investigators gather at the Merrimac Trail apartment building in Williamsburg.

Emergency crews from Williamsburg and York and James City counties responded to a call of multiple explosions at 6:49 a.m. at Parkway Apartments on Merrimac Trail. Crews arrived at 6:55 a.m. to heavy smoke from a two-alarm fire at a ground-floor apartment, which they
had under control by 7:30 a.m., according to Williamsburg Fire Department Spokesman Eric Stone.

A man, woman and child - all inside the apartment that caught fire - were injured in the blast and subsequent fire. All were taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center, but the man was later transported to the Norfolk General Hospital burn unit for treatment of second- and third-degree burns. Stone said the woman and child were not as badly injured. A fourth person, an adult male, was also injured and taken to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Hospital, Stone said.

The 25 displaced all resided in the 10-unit apartment complex. All have since been put up in a hotel near their homes. Williamsburg Human Services and the Red Cross are assisting residents affected.

Five hours after the initial explosions officials from the Virginia State Police, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and U.S. Navy Police were on hand to assist with the investigation. The Navy brought in an explosive-sniffing dog to look for evidence of chemicals or accelerants, while firefighters were busy tossing charred children’s toys and bedding from the back porch door of the charred apartment into the backyard.

A few onlookers sat around the cordoned-off perimeter, watching television crews and cleanup work.

“There was major damage” in the apartment, Stone said. “We’re not sure how many apartments were affected.” He could offer no information on what might have caused the explosions.

The Williamsburg Fire Marshal is the lead agency in the investigation, with assistance from the neighboring counties, according to Stone.