Cape May Co. house explosion victims talking with family, police say

The married couple injured in a house explosion in Cape May County last Thursday is now out of critical condition, according to local authorities.

The cause of the blast that leveled the entire house before neighbors valiantly pulled the two injured residents from the wreckage is believed to be related to an old propane heating system, Lower Township police Chief William Mastriana said Monday.

"It appears to be some type of gas leak," Mastriana said. "There was an old propane tank and the unit was being converted over to natural gas. There were renovations going on at the property."

He said investigators are now following up with the company or companies that were working on the East Atlantic Avenue home in the Villas section of the township.

Both of the victims, identified Friday as James and Evelyn McCarty, were taken to a regional burn center and are still recovering from injuries, Mastriana said, adding that one of his detectives spoke with the family Monday and learned the McCartys are no longer in critical condition. Evelyn McCarty was expected to have surgery on a broken leg.

He credited neighbors for quickly pulling both people from the destroyed home.