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A North Carolina beach town was rocked Tuesday morning when a hit-and-run driver crashed into a veterinary office gas line, triggering a fiery explosion that injured four firefighters.
Wilmington Police Department officials said a driver veered off the road and ruptured a gas line near Eastern Carolina Veterinary Medical Center at about 11:30 a.m.
The building exploded about 20 minutes later as firefighters searched inside, scattering debris across the busy road and sending a large plume of black smoke into the sky.
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A mayday was called, and four firefighters were injured, according to police.
Two firefighters had injuries that were not considered life-threatening, and one has severe burn injuries to the hands. The condition of the fourth firefighter is unknown.
Officials said the driver, who has been identified as Jason Lee Beach, 46, of Wilmington, was turning into a car dealership when his vehicle struck the gas lines feeding the building.
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Beach, who appeared to be impaired, allegedly fled and was later arrested, according to police.
He was charged with felony driving while impaired, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit-and-run, reckless driving and failure to maintain a lane, according to officials. He is being held under a $100,000 secured bond.
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According to the veterinary center’s website, the location was about to open next month.
The explosion happened less than a mile from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol and other federal partners are assisting with the investigation, according to police.
The Wilmington police and fire departments did not immediately respond to additional inquiries from Fox News Digital.
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