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A family of three was sent to the hospital and relocated from their Third Avenue home after the Asbury Park Fire Department responded to an alarm call Wednesday, Chief Kevin Keddy said.

Firefighters responded near 10 p.m. Wednesday to the fire alarm activation call at a multi-family home, spokesman Garrett Giberson Jr said.

Upon arrival, firefighters found extensive damage to the windows at the family’s apartment and a bleeding tenant leaning against a car parked in the driveway, Keddy said.

An immediate onsite investigation found that the home’s occupants were spraying Raid Roach Killer too close to the stove within a small confined space, Keddy said.

“The percentages were correct for the explosion to occur,” Giberson said. “A tenant had a headache and when they went to open the window that’s when the explosion occurred. Once they introduced oxygen the combination with the chemical and ignition source caused the explosion.”

Keddy said there was no resulting fire. New Jersey Natural Gas responded to ensure the meter was secured off.

The family – two adults and a toddler – were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and the American Red Cross Jersey Coast Chapter were requested to help with the family’s relocation, Keddy said.

Not only were the windows of the lower level unit blown out but a main entrance door frame, the kitchen area and a portion of ceiling in an adjacent hallway were damaged, Giberson said.

“It could have been a lot worse,” Giberson said. The extent of the family’s injuries is unknown at this time.

The investigation is being conducted in conjunction with the city’s code enforcement and construction department, Giberson said.

[Photos courtesy of Asbury Park Fire Department]

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