Salisbury, North Carolina, December 16, 2025
A house fire in Salisbury, North Carolina, led to an explosion that injured twelve firefighters and two civilians. The incident occurred while firefighters were battling a significant blaze at a single-family home. Fortunately, all injured individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, while extensive damage to the property has been reported, including a roof collapse and the deaths of two dogs.
Salisbury, North Carolina
An explosion during a house fire in Salisbury, North Carolina, on Monday, December 15, 2025, resulted in injuries to twelve firefighters and two civilians. The incident occurred at a single-family home located at 1143 Laurel Street, near North Long Street, around 4:56 p.m. EST. Fire crews were actively working to extinguish a significant blaze when the explosion happened, causing the home’s roof to collapse and exterior walls to fail.
The Salisbury Fire Department confirmed that eleven of the injured firefighters were from their agency, with an additional firefighter from the East Spencer Fire Department also sustaining injuries. All injured firefighters were transported to local hospitals, with Fire Chief Bob Parnell stating that their injuries were non-life-threatening. These injuries included concussions, contusions, and smoke inhalation. Some of the firefighters have already been released from medical care. The two civilians injured in the incident were also transported to hospitals, though details regarding the extent of their conditions have not been released.
The fire initially presented with heavy flames visible from the rear of the single-family home. Fire crews arrived on the scene within four minutes of receiving the dispatch and immediately initiated an offensive attack to combat the fire and conduct a primary search of the residence. It was during these efforts that the explosion occurred inside the structure, compromising its integrity and leading to the significant collapse.
Investigators are currently working to determine the exact cause of the explosion. While initial reports from the scene suggested a gas line explosion may have been responsible, officials later retracted this information, stating that the cause remains unknown and is under active investigation. The investigation is a collaborative effort involving the Salisbury Fire Department, the Salisbury Police Department, and the North Carolina Fire Marshal’s Office.
Beyond the personal injuries, the explosion and fire caused extensive damage to the property. The roof of the home completely collapsed, and its exterior walls failed. Additionally, a nearby home sustained heat-related damage from the intense fire. The American Red Cross was called to assist eight occupants who were displaced from the affected home. Tragically, two dogs also died in the fire. The incident prompted a large emergency response, with multiple fire departments from Rowan County providing assistance. A “mayday” call was issued, activating a rapid intervention team, and a personnel accountability report was immediately conducted to ensure all personnel were accounted for and safely removed from the structure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What happened in Salisbury, North Carolina?
- An explosion occurred during a house fire on Monday, December 15, 2025, at a home on Laurel Street.
- How many firefighters were injured?
- Twelve firefighters were injured, including eleven from the Salisbury Fire Department and one from the East Spencer Fire Department.
- Were there any other injuries?
- Yes, two civilians were also transported to hospitals.
- What is the condition of the injured firefighters?
- The firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including concussions, contusions, and smoke inhalation, and some have already been released from medical care.
- Where did the explosion take place?
- The explosion happened at a single-family home located at 1143 Laurel Street, near North Long Street, in Salisbury, North Carolina.
- When did the incident occur?
- The incident began around 4:56 p.m. EST on Monday, December 15, 2025.
- What caused the explosion?
- The cause of the explosion is currently unknown and is under investigation by the Salisbury Fire Department, Salisbury Police Department, and the North Carolina Fire Marshal’s Office.
- What was the extent of the property damage?
- The home’s roof collapsed, exterior walls failed, and a nearby home sustained heat-related damage.
- Were there any displacements?
- Yes, eight occupants were displaced from the home and are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
Key Features of the Salisbury Home Explosion Incident
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | 1143 Laurel Street, Salisbury, North Carolina |
| Date and Time | Monday, December 15, 2025, around 4:56 p.m. EST |
| Injured Firefighters | 12 (11 from Salisbury, 1 from East Spencer) |
| Injured Civilians | 2 |
| Firefighter Injury Severity | Non-life-threatening (concussions, contusions, smoke inhalation) |
| Cause of Explosion | Under investigation; initially suggested gas line, but retracted as unknown |
| Property Damage | Roof collapse, exterior wall failure, heat damage to a nearby home |
| Displaced Occupants | 8, assisted by American Red Cross |
| Animal Fatalities | 2 dogs |
| Investigating Agencies | Salisbury Fire Department, Salisbury Police Department, North Carolina Fire Marshal’s Office |
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