Cops: Two Riverhead men injured in Water Mill house explosion

The two men injured in a Water Mill house fire caused by an explosion Wednesday have been identified as Riverhead residents.

Abner Canel, 18, is listed in critical condition and Rolando Perez, 40, is listed in stable condition, according to a Southampton Town police press release.

A preliminary investigation has found that both men were in the basement doing renovation work and they “accidentally cut a gas pipe which caused the explosion,” officials said.

Shortly after 2:10 p.m., police and the Southampton Fire Department responded to reports of an explosion on Old Country Road and found the fully engulfed house fire, officials said. Both men were found suffering from “severe burns and wounds,” police said.

While firefighters were able to extinguish the flames, officials said the house was completely demolished from the explosion.

Southampton Volunteer Ambulance, Southampton Village Ambulance and North Sea Fire Department officials also assisted in the rescue efforts, police said.

A Suffolk County Police helicopter transported both victims to Stony Brook Medical Center where they are being treated for “extensive burns,” officials said.

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