Wilmington veterinary hospital reflects one year after devastating explosion

1 hour ago

Kamy Smelser,

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — Wednesday marks one year since a major explosion destroyed a newly built veterinary hospital in Wilmington and injured five firefighters who responded to the scene.

The Eastern Carolina Veterinary Medical Center had been preparing to open its new 32,000-square-foot facility off New Centre Drive when the explosion happened.

The blast occurred after a driver struck gas lines at the property and left the scene. No employees, clients or animals were inside the building at the time, but five Wilmington firefighters were injured during the emergency response.

Shanelle Armas joined the veterinary hospital’s staff as operations manager just three weeks ago, but said the impact of the explosion is still felt throughout the organization.

“This team came back together to comfort each other, to help each other put all the pieces together of the things they didn’t expect,” Armas said. “For sure one of the biggest things that everyone shares about that day is how thankful they are to the people who responded.”

Soon after the explosion, Wilmington Fire Department Chief Steve Mason told WWAY that hearing reports of injured firefighters was one of the most difficult moments for a fire chief.

“That’s the worst thing I can hear come over the radio,” Mason said. “And you’re mind just goes crazy, you are wondering who it is and how many and can we get them out in time?”

One year later, the damaged building has been demolished and the property remains empty.

Armas said the veterinary team does not yet know where or when construction on a new facility will begin, but its long-term mission has not changed.

“The path may have changed a little bit, but the vision hasn’t,” Armas said. “We still continue to grow and build in really exciting ways this year even though we didn’t have that site to do it in.”

The driver, Jason Beach, pleaded guilty last year to serious injury by vehicle and hit-and-run charges. He was placed on 36 months of supervised probation.