Videos show first responders' view following Durham gas explosion
First responders rushed toward a massive fireball despite the threat of another explosion five months ago when a natural gas leak in Durham ignited.
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Gas flowed for about an hour, filling underground cavities near Kaffeinate, before the blast, the department's report said. Firefighters haven't been able to pinpoint what ignited the explosion, however.
The newly released body-cam videos show police officers, firefighters and paramedics risking their lives to make sure people got out of nearby buildings.
"That was the biggest thing I’ve ever seen," one firefighter said. "We pulled up on it, [and] that thing was like boom, boom."
Neighboring red brick buildings bore white scars from flying debris, and the street was littered with pieces of buildings.
At the time, first responders feared the casualties would be higher.
"Two confirmed dead in the service building. There’s going to be a lot more," one police officer said.
A strong smell of gas remained in the area after the explosion, including buildings where there was gas build-up.
"We entered that building, but there's too much gas, and we had to back out," one police officer reported to another.
While firefighters battled the gas-fed blaze and first responders helped victims, everyone else had one goal: Clear several blocks around the explosion site as a precaution.
"Hey, anybody inside? Durham police. Are you OK? Anybody inside?" an officer calls out upon entering a building.
Two paramedics checked a charter bus that had been passing the area when the explosion occurred.
"We got nobody. We got nobody. Alright, nobody's on the bus. Bus is clear," they announced.
"We have a gas leak here. Wind's drifting this way. Open flames, it will blow up. Let's move," a police officer told people nearby, including a man who appears ready to light a cigarette.
"Everyone in here, we have an open gas leak. You guys need to go. Let’s go. Everyone out. Let's go," an officer yells to people in a shop.
As first responders continued to move others to safety, they remained in the danger zone.
"I'm a little nervous because I smell that [gas] and there's open flames," one police officer said.
"Make sure those buildings are clear. Don't go in. I can smell gas," an officer tells his fellow officers.
"Yeah, which means we're in the blast zone, baby," another officer replies.
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