KIAMESHA LAKE — “Almost 50 years in the fire service, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Thompson Town Supervisor Bill Rieber Jr. about the powerful explosion that shook the community of Patio Homes in Kiamesha Lake around 12:30 pm on Saturday, September 30. 

According to New York State Police, the cause of the explosion was a propane leak, and three were injured and transported to Westchester Medical Center, where they are listed in critical condition. 

Robert McDowell, age 36, Jessie Mackerley, age 5, and Savanah Mackerley, age 9, all residents of the home, are still listed in critical condition with multiple injuries.

The blast occurred at Patio Homes at 14 James Place in Kiamesha Lake, and images of the aftermath quickly flooded social media platforms, showcasing the complete devastation inflicted upon the house where the suspected gas leak came from. 

John Hauschild, Sullivan County Fire Coordinator described the scene as “very devastating.”

One anonymous neighbor down the road from the scene described the explosion as “destruction and chaos,” noting that a number of other homes were left with broken windows, fallen picture frames off of their walls and pets being spooked by the noise. Debris littered the premises, with fragments strewn across the ground and trees.

Rieber described the extensive debris field, which included full sheets of plywood, rafters, and metal aluminum scattered over a significant distance, with some debris found several hundred feet from the house where the explosion occurred.

Hauschild said it was a collaborative effort between the town, the Monticello Fire Department, and the New York State Police to address the aftermath of a powerful explosion. 

The coordinated response involved street closures and immediate debris removal to address the chaos left in the wake of the incident.

“It was a very good, unified command, and everybody, all the agencies, work well together,” said Hauschild. 

Rieber confirmed that by Sunday, the affected homes had been demolished. Among the impacted structures were three townhomes, with the explosion originating in the middle townhome.

Regarding the residents in the vicinity, Rieber indicated that some were able to return to their homes following the incident. However, he also expressed concerns about the safety of other nearby homes, suggesting that as many as five or six additional residences may need to be demolished due to the unsafe conditions caused by the explosion.

The magnitude of the blast was such that it reverberated through the town and beyond, with reports of residents in nearby Bethel, New York, claiming to have both heard and felt the explosion.

As the investigation unfolds, the Sullivan County Democrat contacted both Patio Homes and the property owner for comment on the incident but had not received a response from either as of presstime.

Authorities have indicated that, at this stage, the explosion does not appear to be criminal, but the investigation remains ongoing, according to statements from the New York State Police.

Derek Kirk contributed to this report.