3 Injured in Newark Gas Explosion

Blast tears facade off home, prompts evacuations

Mar. 14, 2026 at 7:21pm

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A gas explosion in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday afternoon injured two teenagers and a construction worker. The blast tore the front off a home on Magazine Street and shattered windows in the surrounding area, leading to evacuations of nearby houses.

Why it matters

Gas line explosions can cause significant damage and pose serious safety risks to residents. This incident highlights the importance of proper construction protocols and gas line maintenance to prevent such accidents from occurring.

The details

According to Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, construction workers were working on a water line when they struck a gas line, triggering the explosion. The force of the blast destroyed the facade of the home and shattered windows in the surrounding area. Three people - two teens and a construction worker - were injured but are expected to survive.

  • The explosion occurred around 12:20 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

The players

Emanuel Miranda

Newark Public Safety Director

Mariana

A local resident who witnessed the explosion

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What they’re saying

“We heard a loud boom, very loud. The entire building shook. The facade of the house was completely gone. There was a lot of smoke coming out. Everybody was running around.”

— Mariana

What’s next

PSEG, the local utility company, is on site repairing the damaged gas line.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of strict construction protocols and proper gas line maintenance to prevent dangerous explosions that can injure residents and cause significant property damage.