Eight of the 15 victims of a Thursday fire and building collapse in Wappingers Falls remain hospitalized, according to officials, some of who shared how the emergency response unfolded.  

Wappingers Falls Police said in a press release that the eight still hospitalized at Westchester Medical Center were "status undisclosed," with another seven treated and released. The victims who were residents range in age from 8 to 59, and five first responders were also treated and released for minor injuries.

The civilian injuries were categorized as "blast and burn injuries from the scene."

An apparent gas explosion likely originated when a Central Hudson contractor struck a nearly century-old ¾-inch gas service main, causing the fire and building collapse, which was contained to 1-7 Brick Row in the city, according to a Central Hudson spokesperson.

“We can confirm that there are serious injuries among our residents, and they are receiving the best possible medical care,” Wappingers Falls Mayor Kevin Huber said. “Families affected by the explosion have been evacuated and are being provided with shelter, food, and necessities. The Knights of Columbus provided a relief center for the community while the Red Cross remained on location and assisted the families with temporary shelter and provisions.”

First responders quickly went to the scene of Thursday’s explosion in Wappingers Falls to put fires out and begin rescue efforts. Responding to catastrophic events like the explosion and building collapse are among the many things first responders are trained to do, but it can weigh heavy on them. 

Village of Wappingers Falls Police Det. Sgt. Jennifer Farrell was one of the first to arrive on scene of the gas fire, which turned into an explosion, causing a building to collapse.

“They had family members running from the rubble screaming and yelling for help ‘cause they were badly injured from the fire,” Farrell said.

Farrell said she and other law enforcement officers immediately closed roads and called for assistance as first responders worked to rescue the victims.

“I’m not sure if I just become robotic, but initially, it's just my training takes over, and I just, initially, just do what I’m trained to do,” Farrell said. “After everything settles down and the adrenaline stops, we’re human at the end of the day. It becomes sad, and you have empathy for the families that are here.”

Village of Wappingers Falls Police Commissioner Paul Italiano has been working in law enforcement for 38 years. While he’s dealt with extreme situations in the past, Italiano said he’s never seen a gas explosion of this magnitude.

“The human side of it kind of hits you later on. And when you have kids and you have kids that are injured in a case like this, it hits a little closer to home,” Italiano said. “It’s not an easy thing to deal with, but it comes along with the job.”

Officers are trained to respond to disastrous events, but they said most of their learning comes from experience.

“Every incident that you have you can take something from that you can learn to do better,” Farrell said.

The officers said they’ll be reviewing how response to this explosion was handled to help prepare for potential future instances. The commissioner said he expects their side of the investigation to wrap up Friday, and the rest will be handled by the insurance and utility companies.

Police say surrounding buildings are structurally safe, and the public is in no danger. Criminal activity is not suspected, but local and state police, as well as the Dutchess County Sheriff's Department, are investigating.