1 toddler died, 14 others injured in blast that leveled home

A Suffolk County police Emergency Service truck is parked near what remains of a Brentwood home after a blast leveled the structure Tuesday afternoon. (Photo Courtesy: Kevin Madigan / K2M Photography)

Brentwood, NY (SmithownRadio.com) – The 18-month-old boy who died Tuesday in a Brentwood house explosion has been identified.

Shortly before Noon, Rah-quan Palmer was inside the home at 12 Propsect Drive with his mother, Christina Morgan, 23, and his father, Rashamel Palmer, 28, when a blast at the home destroyed the structure. The boy died and at least 14 others, including Morgan and Palmer, were injured in the blast.

At the time of the blast, a plumber and insurance agent were at the home regarding a claim submitted for flooding at the residence. Michael Ray, 48, of Islip, with Central Islip-based Your Town Cesspool Plumbing and Heating, and Patricia Salegna-Maqueda, 46, of North Babylon, with State Farm Insurance, were seriously injured.

Two other residents of the home: Calvin Harris, 23, and Irving Justiniano, 63, were also injured.

Two neighbors were taken to the hospital after the blast: Patricia Arnoth, 47, and her son, Michael Arnoth, 24, of 14 Prospect Drive, were treated and released. Their home, along with 30 Prospect Drive, has been condemned as a result of the blast.

Seven Suffolk County Police officers and two firefighters were injured. They were treated and released at local hospitals.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Suffolk police told Newsday propane tanks stored on the property contributed to the blast but could not provide specifics.

The Town of Islip has issued citations against the homeowner for illegal modifications to the home.

Personnel from Smithtown-area fire departments, including the Nesconset Fire Department, are on-scene.