One man who was burned over 50 percent of his body remained hospitalized -- 1 of 3 people injured in Saturday's blast. Watch video
A burned man remained hospitalized Sunday following a house explosion in Phillipsburg as authorities prepared to investigate the cause of the duplex blast.
Three people were injured in the Saturday explosion that originated at the duplex at 74-76 Filmore St., including one man who was burned over 50 percent of his body.
The two others were treated for cuts and scrapes at a local hospital and released Saturday night, town Fire Chief Richard Hay said. Officials have not released the identities of the people injured.
Hay said two residents in the duplex's other half were home at the time of the blast, and were able to get out of their house safely with their pets.
"Yesterday was the situation of getting the area under control. Now we're in the investigation stage" to determine what caused the blast, Hay said Sunday morning at the scene.
Town crews remained near Summit Avenue overnight, but Hay said they stopped working while awaiting an investigative team from Elizabethtown Gas' parent company, AGL Resources. Electric and gas to the block was cut off, but some service was returned to the neighborhood.
AGL's experts from Georgia were flying to New Jersey on Sunday, and would work closely with the town's police department to "determine if it was criminal or accidental," said Phillipsburg Mayor Stephen Ellis.
For now, the block is considered a crime scene, the mayor said.
Duane Bourne, spokesman for Elizabethtown Gas, said the company is aware of the incident and is currently assisting first responders with their investigation.
Police and neighbors reported smelling natural gas after the explosion, but authorities have stopped short of saying gas caused or contributed to it.
Sunday afternoon's forecast storms were creating a headache for officials. Any rain or wind, "could delay everything," Ellis said.
Barriers and police tape closed off surrounding streets and some alleys; Hay said it will be that way for days. Aerial photos showed a debris-strewn scene and the top half of the duplex in splinters.
The surrounding homes were evacuated following the blast, but some of the residents were allowed to return home Saturday night, including people who live directly across the street.
A backhoe was parked down the block Sunday, but officials said any demolition won't begin until the investigation is complete.
On Sunday morning, residents walked to the scene or drove by, gawking at the pile of timber and debris in the street. Ellis was talking to people at the barriers, giving out what information he could.
"We're trying to keep the neighborhood as best informed as we can," he said.
A GoFundMe campaign was begun by one of the neighbors, who said their home's ceiling collapsed on them and their windows blew out in the blast.
Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.