Three firefighters were injured Tuesday after a gas explosion at a North Carolina veterinary clinic that was struck by a hit-and-run driver, police said.
The Wilmington Police Department identified the driver as 46-year-old Jason Lee Beach. He was charged with felony DWI with serious injury, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit and run, reckless driving, and failure to maintain lane. Beach is being held at the New Hanover County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.
The incident began around 11 a.m. when a vehicle crashed into the Eastern Carolina Veterinary Medical Center on New Centre Drive, rupturing a gas line, according to police. The driver fled the scene before officers arrived.
As Wilmington firefighters searched the building to ensure it was empty, a gas explosion occurred. One firefighter suffered severe burns to the hands and arms, while two others sustained non-life-threatening injuries. All three were taken to a local hospital, officials said.
No civilians were inside the clinic when the explosion happened. Fire crews later secured the gas leak and brought the fire under control, authorities said.
