The quiet of South Ozone Park was shattered before dawn Thursday when a domestic dispute spiraled into a violent explosion that tore through a family home, leaving more than a dozen people injured and a neighborhood in shock.
Police say officers were called to a residence on 130th Street around 2:42 a.m. after reports of a man threatening relatives with a knife. Inside the home were members of the suspect’s own family, including his wife, daughter, and grandchildren. The situation already sounded tense. But what happened next caught everyone off guard.
As officers approached the house, a sudden and powerful explosion ripped through the building. The blast knocked several officers off their feet and instantly sparked a fire that spread with alarming speed. Flames shot through the structure, turning the early morning response into a full-scale emergency.
Investigators later identified the suspect as Anroop Parasram. Authorities say he had forced his way into a basement apartment where his family had gathered. Relatives had already called for help, reporting a strong smell of gas and warning that he was armed and making threats.
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators appears to show Parasram entering the home carrying bags filled with canisters. Officials believe he poured some kind of accelerant inside before setting it off, igniting both himself and the apartment. That act is believed to have triggered the explosion that followed.
The fire quickly escalated into a five-alarm blaze, engulfing the two-and-a-half-story house and spreading to a nearby building. The flames grew so intense that the structure eventually collapsed, leaving behind charred debris and a scene of devastation.
Even as the fire raged, police officers rushed inside, trying to reach anyone who might still be trapped. Eight officers were hurt in the process, suffering burns and head injuries. A firefighter and at least four civilians were also injured. All were taken to hospitals, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
By sunrise, at least 16 people had been displaced. Families stood outside watching the ruins of what had once been their home, unsure of what came next. Parasram himself has not been found, and officials have not confirmed whether he survived.
Investigators are still working to piece together exactly what happened, including the type of substance used and how the explosion unfolded. For now, the neighborhood is left grappling with the aftermath of a night that turned from a family dispute into a near-tragedy.
Images that would accompany this story would show the collapsed structure, firefighters battling heavy flames in the dark, and first responders assisting injured officers outside the scene.
