The man critically injured in the Fillmore Street blast is key to the ongoing investigation.
The person who may hold key information about the cause of a Phillipsburg house explosion is not yet able to talk, according to town officials.
Until authorities can interview the man critically injured in the June 4 Filmore Street blast, the ongoing investigation is essentially on hold.
"Our first hope that he gets better," Mayor Stephen Ellis said Wednesday. "Our second is that he can help solve the mystery."
The explosion destroyed the homes at 74-76 Filmore Street that Saturday afternoon and damaged others nearby. Police and neighbors reported smelling natural gas afterward, but it has not been officially determined to be the cause of the blast that originated in the second floor apartment at 76 Filmore.
Police identified 37-year-old Clay Metzgar as the most seriously injured of two victims. The 76 Filmore resident was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, with burns over half his body.
Hospital staff could not provide an update on Metzgar's condition Wednesday. It was not clear if he had been transferred to another facility.
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Phillipsburg fire Chief Rich Hay agreed the victim is essential to finding out what happened. Town police Chief James Faulborn said that the investigation was ongoing but declined to elaborate.
"It comes down to the person who lives there," Hay said of the investigation. "It's a matter of time before he's able to speak."
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and find him on Facebook.
