A quiet neighborhood in Long Beach, California, was rocked by a massive explosion this week, leaving a man severely injured and his home reduced to rubble. Manny Fabrigas was pulled from the debris by first responders after his house was blown apart in a blast that was captured on doorbell footage, as reported by KTTV-TV News.
Fabrigas, who sustained severe burns, is currently in the intensive care unit at a local hospital. His wife, Sheila Fabrigas, expressed her gratitude for their neighbors’ quick actions in a statement on a GoFundMe page she set up to support their recovery and rebuilding efforts. “We are incredibly thankful that some of our neighbors were home and heard the explosion,” Sheila wrote. “Without hesitation, they rushed in and bravely pulled my husband from the flames before the fire grew uncontrollable.”
She praised the swift response of the Long Beach Fire Department, which managed to extinguish the flames before they could spread further. However, the damage was already catastrophic. “Our home, a symbol of years of hard work and sacrifice, is gone,” Sheila said. “After only a year of enjoying our dream home, it was cruelly taken away in an instant.”
Fire officials stated that the explosion occurred in a legal structure located behind the main house. The blast was so powerful that it destroyed much of the main structure. According to KTTV, the explosion also caused minor damage to a neighboring home and led to a temporary power outage affecting approximately 1,900 utility customers for several hours.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion. No further details have been released at this time.
The GoFundMe page created by Sheila Fabrigas has already raised more than $27,000 of its $50,000 goal. She expressed her appreciation for the support they’ve received as they try to rebuild their lives following the tragic event.
“Our home was everything to us, and seeing it destroyed is heartbreaking,” she shared. “But the love and generosity we’ve received from our community is helping us stay strong.”