RIDGEFIELD, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- A man who was pulled from a New Jersey home that exploded has succumbed to his injuries, officials said Tuesday.
The man was identified as Mark Schellack, 48.
He was rescued from the rubble of his home in Ridgefield on Monday morning in a fiery blast that sent pieces of the home flying and smoke soaring into the air.
The blast was powerful enough to launch the front door of the home across the street, and a neighbor tells 1010 WINS that a projectile hit his window.
Responding officers, including off-duty officer Hagop Cigercioglu, heard moaning coming from the rubble. They were able to pull the man from the ruins.
"The house was completely leveled. There was debris everywhere," Cigercioglu said. "We were able to take some wood out to make a big enough hole where he crawled out."
Schellack was taken to St. Barnabas Medical Center, where he had been airlifted after being rushed to Hackensack University Hospital.
Neighbors tell 1010 WINS that they heard a blast around 11:45 a.m.
Images show the collapsed house consumed by flames and debris scattered across lawns and driveways.
Dozens of firefighters responded and the fire was put out by 1:45 p.m., though crews were still dousing hotspots.
Fire officials said gas fueled the fire but wouldn't say if gas sparked the initial explosion.