NEWARK—A house exploded on Magazine Street Saturday afternoon after construction workers struck a gas line, injuring two teenagers and one adult. The blast occurred at 86 Magazine Street around 12:20 p.m. on March 14. The force of the detonation blew the house’s front façade outward into the residential street.

Two juveniles, one 15 and one 16, as well as one construction worker suffered non-life-threatening injuries. All three were transported to University Hospital in Newark for treatment and monitoring. The teens were inside the residence when the incident occurred. The construction worker was part of a crew performing water line work in the area.

Workers accidentally nicked a gas line during the water line project, triggering the blast. The two-story home's front wall disintegrated, sending siding, insulation and structural material across the street. Windows shattered in adjacent properties. Emergency responders described the scene as chaotic but contained.

Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda confirmed the cause and injury count at a briefing. His department coordinated the multi-agency response. Nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution against secondary leaks or structural collapse. Firefighters removed approximately 15 dogs from a neighboring backyard to safety.

PSE&G utility crews responded to repair the damaged gas line and restore service. The company restricted access to the block until repairs were completed and the area was deemed safe. The American Red Cross established assistance for families displaced by the explosion.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud boom and feeling their homes shake. One resident identified only as Mariana said she heard a "big explosion" and saw debris flying. Video from the scene showed the destroyed front of the home with exposed framing and insulation scattered across the sidewalk. The structure remained standing but was heavily damaged.

Magazine Street is a residential corridor in Newark's Weequahne neighborhood. The area sits approximately three miles from downtown Newark. Gas line strikes during construction work represent a leading cause of utility-related incidents nationwide. PSE&G, which serves 1.7 million gas customers across 2,600 square miles, maintains approximately 1,800 miles of cast iron and unprotected steel gas mains in New Jersey.

Sources 

● RLS Media (March 15, 2026)

● ABC7 New York (March 14, 2026)

● CBS News New York (March 14, 2026)

● News12 New Jersey (March 14, 2026)

● PIX11/Yahoo News (March 14, 2026)

● NJ.com (March 14, 2026)

● PSE&G Corporate Data