A New York home exploded early Thursday after a man allegedly set himself ablaze during a domestic dispute, injuring eight New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers and several civilians.
A family member called 911 at roughly 2:42 a.m. to report that Anroop Parasram, 50, had allegedly shown up at a South Ozone Park residence in Queens carrying a knife, according to the New York Post (NYP). Parasram, the suspected estranged husband of a woman in the basement apartment, allegedly arrived intoxicated and forced entry by shoving an air conditioning unit out of position, according to ABC7NY. His wife, daughter and two grandchildren escaped before police arrived.
The residence blew apart at 2:57 a.m., only 16 minutes after the initial call, according to NBC New York. Law enforcement sources told the outlet that canisters Parasram allegedly brought inside contained gasoline. (RELATED: NYPD Kills Knife-Wielding Man After Violent Attack At Grand Central Station)
The explosion threw multiple officers backward as they reached the front entrance, ABC7NY reported, citing NYPD. One sergeant and seven NYPD officers were transported to hospitals with various wounds, including burns, NBC New York reported. The most serious injury was a head laceration, according to ABC7NY.
All eight are expected to recover, NBC New York reported.
“We got very lucky today; this could have turned out very differently,” Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh told reporters, according to ABC7NY. Several officers entered the burning structure to search for anyone trapped inside, according to NBC New York.
NYPD and @FDNY executives provide updates on an ongoing investigation in Queens. https://t.co/23QMaCBvGc
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 30, 2026
Law enforcement officials believe Parasram died in the basement of the collapsed building, according to ABC7NY. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said investigators plan to deploy cadaver dogs once conditions allow.
Parasram had three expired orders of protection filed against him by one relative, with the most recent lapsing in 2024, according to ABC7NY.
Police had responded to domestic calls at the address on multiple occasions over the past year, according to the Gothamist, citing McIntosh. The five-alarm fire leveled the home, spread to a neighboring property and displaced 16 residents.
Close to 300 firefighters and emergency medical workers were dispatched to the scene, according to ABC7NY, citing Fire Department New York Chief of Department John Esposito.
The Daily Caller has reached out to NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner Public Information for comment.