Fatal Bronx Gas Explosion Leads to Murder Charges After Stove Theft, Authorities Say

A deadly gas explosion inside a Bronx NYCHA high-rise has led to murder and multiple felony charges, highlighting once again how preventable gas-related incidents can devastate entire buildings and communities.

According to law enforcement sources, a man has been arrested and charged with murder after allegedly stealing a gas stove from an apartment at the Boston Secor Houses in Baychester—triggering a gas leak that caused a massive explosion and four-alarm fire. One resident was killed, and at least 14 others were injured.

As NYC gas explosion attorneys representing victims of serious personal injury in the Bronx, incidents like this raise critical legal questions about accountability, safety oversight, and the rights of residents harmed by dangerous conditions inside residential buildings.

What Happened at the Bronx NYCHA High-Rise

Police say Samuel Calderon, 55, broke into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment at the 17-story NYCHA building on Bivona Street near Reeds Mill Lane shortly after midnight on January 24. Surveillance video reportedly shows Calderon disconnecting a gas stove and wheeling it down the hallway in an apparent attempt to steal the appliance.

Moments later, the gas line left behind began leaking. That leak ignited, causing a powerful explosion that tore through the upper floors of the building and sparked a raging four-alarm fire.

Firefighters responding to the scene discovered 60-year-old Ronald McCallister unconscious inside the building. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead. Multiple other residents were transported to hospitals, including one individual found unconscious and in critical condition.

More than 230 FDNY firefighters and EMS personnel were required to bring the blaze under control.

Criminal Charges Filed

Prosecutors have charged Calderon with murder, manslaughter, assault, burglary, criminal contempt, and additional offenses related to the explosion and fire. Authorities say he has a lengthy criminal history, including prior felony burglary arrests and a recent arrest for violating an order of protection at the same building.

While the criminal case will focus on punishment, criminal charges alone do not address the full scope of harm suffered by residents who were injured, displaced, or lost loved ones in the explosion.

Civil Liability After a Gas Explosion

From a civil litigation perspective, gas explosion cases are rarely limited to a single cause or actor. Even when a criminal act is involved, investigators and attorneys must examine whether additional parties contributed to the conditions that allowed the explosion to occur.

Key questions often include:

• Were gas lines properly secured or capped after prior repairs?

• Were building management and housing authorities complying with gas safety protocols?

• Were there prior complaints about gas odors, illegal access, or unsafe conditions?

• Did failures in maintenance, security, or supervision contribute to the incident?

In residential high-rises—particularly public housing—multiple layers of responsibility may exist. These cases often require detailed investigation, expert analysis, and coordination with fire marshals, engineers, and safety professionals.

The Impact on Bronx Residents

Following the explosion, the City issued a full vacate order for the building, forcing residents from their homes. NYPD officers were posted at the entrances as families scrambled to find temporary housing and recover essential belongings.

Gas explosions do not just cause immediate injuries. Victims may suffer long-term medical complications, psychological trauma, lost income, and permanent displacement. In fatal cases, surviving family members may have grounds to pursue wrongful death claims in addition to personal injury actions.

Legal Rights of Gas Explosion Victims

Under New York law, individuals injured in a gas explosion—or families of those killed—may be entitled to pursue compensation through civil claims, regardless of whether a criminal prosecution is ongoing.

Potential damages may include:

• Medical expenses and future care

• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Wrongful death damages, including loss of financial support and services

• Relocation and property loss expenses

Importantly, evidence in gas explosion cases can disappear quickly once emergency repairs and demolition begin. Early legal involvement is often critical to preserving records, surveillance footage, maintenance logs, and physical evidence.

Representing Gas Explosion Victims in the Bronx

Our attorneys represent victims of serious personal injury throughout the Bronx, including residents harmed by fires, explosions, and other catastrophic building failures. These cases demand thorough investigation and a willingness to pursue all responsible parties—not just the most obvious one.

While criminal courts determine guilt, civil courts are where injured residents and families seek accountability and financial recovery for the losses they have suffered.

Gas explosions are not unavoidable accidents. They are often the result of preventable failures in safety, security, and oversight. When those failures cause injury or death, the law provides a path for victims to demand answers and pursue justice.

If you or a family member were injured in a Bronx gas explosion, time matters. Physical evidence, surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness accounts can be lost or altered quickly after a fire or building evacuation. Speaking with an experienced gas explosion attorney as early as possible can help ensure that critical evidence is preserved and all responsible parties are properly investigated.

For a free and confidential consultation with gas explosion attorneys representing victims of serious personal injury in the Bronx, call 212-943-1090 or contact us online.