Two people lost their lives on Wednesday following a massive explosion that destroyed a home on Brueckner Lane near Route 28A and the Ashokan Reservoir, sending literal and figurative shockwaves through local communities.
New York State Police confirmed the deceased as Ralph Brueckner, 75, and Cheryl Hathaway, 58, both of whom succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident. The explosion occurred shortly before noon on March 19. Upon arriving at the location, troopers from the Kingston barracks discovered that the house had been reduced to rubble and was engulfed in flames.
Emergency response efforts involved multiple fire departments across Ulster County, with support from the Ulster County Fire Investigation Unit, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police. Helicopters, fire engines, and ambulances were present at the scene for several hours.
Residents from surrounding areas reported feeling the explosion from miles away. A local resident in West Hurley, situated less than half a mile from the site, said the blast caused their home to shake and prompted them to notice a large cloud of smoke and emergency vehicles rushing to the scene. Other reports indicated that the shockwaves were felt in nearby towns, including Woodstock, Kingston, Saugerties, and as far as Red Hook.
Footage from the aftermath showed thick smoke and active flames rising from the wreckage. There were also indications of minor brush fires potentially ignited by the blast, though these reports remain unconfirmed.
The cause of the explosion is still being determined, with the New York State Police and Ulster County fire officials continuing their investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to contact the State Police Kingston Bureau of Criminal Investigation at (845) 338-1702.
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