How to help two families injured in Syracuse home explosion [Video]

Syracuse, N.Y. — Local organizations are setting up ways for the public to help members of two families injured in a natural gas explosion that destroyed a home in Syracuse this week.

The explosion injured 13 people and destroyed a home at 205 Carbon St. around 4 p.m. Tuesday. Of the people hurt, three — a baby and two young children — were reported in critical condition at Upstate University Hospital.

The explosion was caused by a natural gas line left open in the basement of the home, fire officials said Friday.

In all, 12 were admitted to the hospital. As of Friday, five of the patients have been released, according to Darryl Geddes, a hospital spokesperson.

Seven people lived in the home, while the rest were visiting, according to Common Councilor Chol Majok. The family living in the home were renting and moved to the United States five years ago, Majok said. The visitors, a family of six, had only been in …