The Associated Press
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — A series of explosions slowed firefighters early Wednesday as they battled a blaze that swept through a church, two vacant buildings and a home, where four people were missing.
“It was like a war zone,” said Fire Chief Clifford Hogan.
He said firefighters faced about four explosions and downed power lines as they fought to get the flames under control in this town of about 45,000 residents near the Pennsylvania state line.
The four missing people were identified as a mother and three children, he said. Authorities were searching the wreckage.