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Federal investigators are examining the scene of a deadly house explosion in Hurley that occurred on Wednesday (March 19). The blast demolished a home on Brueckner Lane, resulting in the deaths of 75-year-old Ralph Brueckner and 58-year-old Cheryl Hathaway. According to News 12, the explosion is not suspected to be caused by a gas line rupture, as there are no gas lines in that part of the county.
The explosion, which took place around noon, left the house completely leveled and engulfed in flames. Multiple fire departments from Ulster County, along with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene. State Police are leading the investigation, with assistance from the Ulster County Fire Investigation Unit.
Molly Mason, a nearby resident, described the explosion as "an explosion the likes of which I've never experienced," stronger than any earthquake she had felt while living in California. The blast was so powerful that it shook nearby buildings and sent debris, including a letter addressed to Brueckner, floating through the air. Times Union reported that first responders arrived within minutes, but the fire continued to burn for several hours.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the State Police Kingston Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The community remains on edge as investigators work to determine the cause of the explosion.