A construction worker who died in the basement of a New Boston, New Hampshire home when a propane tank exploded, has been identified as 46-year-old Antonio De Souza, authorities confirmed.
Horrifying images captured around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday from outside the unoccupied property on 123 Foxberry Drive, show the home burst into heavy flames as firefighters are seen surrounding the smoky scene.
Workers were making developments to the property that was up for sale, when the propane tank convulsed and demolished areas of the property within minutes.
De Souza, of Nashua, could be heard yelling for help by locals in the neighborhood, but when help arrived, it was too late.
Images captured Tuesday from outside the unoccupied property on 123 Foxberry Drive, show the home burst into heavy flames after a propane tank explosion
Construction worker Antonio De Souza, 46, was confirmed dead in the fire
‘An off-duty fire member, as well as a neighbor, heard the explosion and came to the house. They were able to converse back and forth with him.’ said Danielle Cole, who works at state fire marshal’s office.
‘(De Souza) said that he was hurt and unable to move.’
The fire destroyed the entire lower half of the property, while officials say the second floor kept mostly intact.
Neighbors several miles away revealed they felt the ground shake this morning when they hurried out of their homes to examine the frightening matter closer.
‘We all heard this giant explosion, ‘ a state bail commissioner, Lori Kyer, told the Union Leader. ‘She said the explosion shook windows and doors.’
‘When I arrived, the entire first floor of the house was completely collapsed,’ Kyer added.
Firefighters worked from morning into the afternoon Tuesday to get the fire completely under control, according to NBC Boston.
‘The fire ripped through the first floor of the home, causing it to collapse in on itself. The second floor of the home was left mostly intact,’ the news station reported.