Neighbor reacts to fatal explosion

NEW MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Investigators are combing through the debris to determine what caused a deadly explosion at a New Milford home.

Only a chimney remains after the explosion at 119 Sunny Valley Road killed one and critically injured two others.

Police say the shockwave could be heard and felt for miles.

"It was a massive explosion," said neighbor Al Machado, "you ain't never gonna hear a sound like that."

Machado lives right next door to what is left of a Cape Cod home on Sunny Valley Road. The house was leveled after a massive explosion Wednesday night. Machado's home even felt some of the blast.

"The only thing that saved our house was the windows were all open, so the percussion came through," Machado said. "Doors were open, blew door handles off our house!"

LINK: Facebook Group --New Milford Explosion Community Relief

New Milford Police say 46-year-old John Wilkinson, the owner, called his friend, 47-year-old Anthony Fratino to come over after smelling a strong odor of gas. Fratino brought Nicholas, his nine-year-old son, along with him. Soon after the two arrived there would be a debris field.

"It's our belief he was killed immediately, yes," said Lt. Lawrence Ash, New Milford Police.

The blast killed Fratino. Wilkinson received severe injuries, as well as the nine-year-old, who Machado tried to help.

"But the screaming, you don't...you won't get rid of that," Machado said. "The kid, the little one in there, all he was doing was screaming. We tried to get him out of there, couldn't lift, piece of the roof was too big that was on him."

Police suspect the explosion was caused by a propane gas leak from the water heater.

Wilkinson owns the house with his wife, Alice. The couple have two sons and Alice is about 8 months pregnant.