One dead, one hurt in Limburg apartment explosion

One person is dead and another person was severely burned when an apartment building exploded in Berg aan de Maas, Limburg. A man was threatening to blow up a home on Julianastraat earlier Friday afternoon by opening a natural gas valve and igniting it, sources told local news publisher 1Limburg. The injured person is being treated in Aachen, Germany. He was removed from the scene by stretcher, and was completely wrapped from head-to-toe in bandages, a mask and a blanket. The victim’s identity was not reported. Six apartments were constructed within the former house. Neighbors reported smelling a strong smell of gas and left their homes before the building blew up. The fire department responded to the scene at about 3:45 p.m. after learning of the gas smell. More equipment raced to the scene at 4:15 p.m., and a minute later a Grip One emergency was called. Police were dispatched for a house explosion with two victims by 4:26 p.m.

De schade aan het huis in Urmond is groot. De toestand van de twee gewonden is nog onbekend. http://t.co/SIcCCZrymE pic.twitter.com/lFLGNN6mXi

— RTL Nieuws (@RTLnieuws) March 20, 2015

Explosie Berg aan de Maas moet enorm zijn geweest want tientallen woningen hebben schade. #l1 pic.twitter.com/ZgNTL1A2Rn

— frankmoonen (@frankmoonen) March 20, 2015

Update: Man omgekomen bij explosie in huis Berg aan de Maas (gemeente Urmond) http://t.co/3uvNaMTiUW pic.twitter.com/KbGJpOUsEf

— RTL Nieuws (@RTLnieuws) March 20, 2015