A welder has miraculously survived a car explosion that occurred in a quiet New Jersey suburb early Monday morning. The incident, which took place around 5:30 a.m. on Congressional Lane in Totowa, sent debris flying into nearby homes and shattered windows, according to the Totowa Police Department.
The 28-year-old driver was inside his vehicle when it was suddenly engulfed in an explosion. He was able to exit the damaged car on his own and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Authorities have not released details regarding the extent of his injuries, but initial reports indicate he was alert and coherent at the scene.
A preliminary investigation suggests that a leaking acetylene cylinder in the car's trunk was the probable cause of the explosion. Residents described being woken by a loud boom and the sound of their windows shattering. Neighbor Sheldon Blaine told WABC, "Our house, our windows was facing the explosion, they are all blown in. There are pieces of the car inside of the house."
The blast caused significant damage to the residential street, with fences collapsing and vehicle fragments entering homes. Residents were temporarily unable to return to their houses as local building departments assessed potential structural damage.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and the ATF have been involved in the ongoing investigation into the incident. Investigators currently do not suspect foul play.