1 Injured In Westminster Explosion

WESTMINSTER, Md. (WJZ) -- A terrifying ordeal. One man remains hospitalized and nearly a dozen homes are damaged after a massive explosion in Carroll County.

Rick Ritter has the latest on the investigation.

Officials say the explosion started in a storage shed, damaging several homes in the neighborhood. Investigators say the 56-year-old victim is in critical condition, fighting for his life. He has been identified as Bernard Toporzycki.

From the inside of his shed to an ambulance, WJZ obtained exclusive video--shot by neighbor Kevin Heppding--showing a Westminster man just minutes after he was met face to face with an explosion.

"You could hear people outside screaming, 'Call 911! Call 911!'" said Jackie Bodnar, neighbor.

Just before 6 a.m. Saturday, officials respond to the blast along the 200 block of Sullivan Road. Authorities say the 56-year-old man was opening his shed door in his backyard when the unexpected happened.

"Opened the door and that's when it ignited and blew up in his face," said Brian McCormick, neighbor.

It left him with third-degree burns.

Neighbors say the explosion rattled the entire block along Sullivan Road, breaking windows and even ripping off the siding of their homes.

"Approximately 11 homes have been damaged as a result of the blast," said Deputy State Fire Marshal Bruce Bouch.

Including Jackie Bodnar's home.

"We heard a crash and we ran downstairs and our dining room windows were blown in," Bodnar said.

Hours later, debris remains scattered on roofs and stuck in trees, capping off a terrifying ordeal neighbors say they'll never forget.

"The neighbors here said it was so loud, it actually lifted their bed up," said Megan Hershberger.

Investigators believe the explosion started because of improperly installed heater.

Two other people were inside the victim's home at the time of the explosion but were not hurt.

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