Emergency responders are out in force on Quinnipiac Avenue in North Haven with as many as eight police officers injured in an explosion during a police standoff in North Haven, Connecticut Wednesday.
North Haven First Selectman Michael Freda told reporters that the incident began when North Haven police received a report that a man was holding his family hostage inside a home on Quinnipiac Avenue.
According to Connecticut State Police Sgt. Marc Gelvin, the man inside the home refused to communicate with police and barricaded himself inside. Police said they were not aware of any hostages.
The South Central Regional SWAT team was called in and while they were clearing the outside of the home, there was an explosion from a barn on the property. Gelvin said the officers suffered non-life threatening injuries and are being treated at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
The fire continues to burn as of this writing and police are still working to make contact with the suspect. It is not clear what caused the explosion at this time.
Neighbors said they could feel the force of the explosion.
"I literally saw a flash come from my house, come from that house, and fire went through the window and up through his roof and the flash. It blinded me for a quick second," said resident Shaun Pitts.
Neighbors have been asked to shelter-in-place and immediate neighbors have been evacuated.
Quinnipiac Avenue is closed in the area.
Connecticut State Police are on scene assisting North Haven, along with multiple other local departments. The New Haven Fire department has also been called in for assistance.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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