1 dead, 1 critically injured in explosion in South Eastlake, victim identified

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — UPDATE (11/6): The victims of a deadly explosion in South Eastlake neighborhood have been identified by the Birmingham Fire Batallion Chief. 49-year-old Boris Reynolds was pronounced dead on the scene, and 53-year-old Larry Bush is in critical condition at a local hospital.

“Right now, 95 percent of his body has been burnt. We’re just trying to hold my sister together right now,” said David Thompson, the brother-in-law of Larry Bush. Thompson spent the day boarding up the windows of his sister’s home.

Along with several windows shattering, a carport collapsed on top of a vehicle, and debris hit a neighbor’s car, tilting the wheel off its axle.

“So from what we observed on the scene, this was definitely a very significant explosion. There was a tremendous amount of damage to both of the homes that are adjacent to the explosion,” said Batallion Chief Sebastian Carillo.

Officials received witness reports that the two men were working with oxygen cylinders before the explosion. Investigators are still working to understand how the explosion happened.

Thompson said neither of the men’s jobs involved working with oxygen.

“Not to my knowledge. I know my brother-in-law worked with buffing machines, flooring machines, but, as far as the other thing, I do not know. That’s what everyone is trying to figure out so.”

Larry Bush and his wife have two daughters, according to Thompson. Thompson says this week was already a difficult one for his family, as his aunt recently passed away; her funeral is Friday.

UPDATE (11/6): According to the Jefferson County Coroner Office, the victim has been identified as Boris Sailes Reynolds, 49 of east Birmingham. He did not live at the location of the explosion that occurred in the 400 block of 80th Street south Birmingham.

The incident happened at 7 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:24 p.m.

The coroner’s office surmises that Reynolds was moving oxygen cylinder tanks when the explosion happened. This has yet to be confirmed.

WATCH: SOUTH EASTLAKE EXPLOSION PRESS CONFERENCE

UPDATE (11/5): Birmingham Fire Captain Sebastian Carrillo has confirmed that one person has died in an explosion in South Eastlake Tuesday night.

No other information has been released at this time. Stay with CBS 42 as this is an ongoing story.

ORIGINAL (11/5): The Birmingham Police department and Birmingham Fire are investigating an explosion in South Eastlake Tuesday night.

According to Birmingham Fire Captain Sebastian Carrillo, law enforcement received a call that a van exploded near 80th Street and 4th Ave. South. Two people were critically injured in the explosion.

A neighboring home was damaged. No one was hurt, however.