Couple Dies in House Blast, No Foul Play Suspected

A house abruptly exploded early Saturday, killing a husband and wife and reducing the two-story home to piles of scattered rubble, but no foul play was suspected, authorities said.

The blast initially reported as a gas explosion shattered windows in nearby homes. Debris was strewn over several blocks, and pieces could be seen hanging from a tree and power line.

John Paladino, 73, and Carole Paladino, 72, were the only occupants of the Newfield home when the blast occurred at 6:15 a.m. The cause and origin of the explosion remains under investigation.

Neighbors said the Paladinos had a new stove delivered on Friday, but it wasn’t clear if officials believed the explosion was related to the appliance.

Carole Paladino was a retired public school nurse while her husband worked part-time at a local funeral home and was taking care of his wife.

“Just good people,” said Wayne Ingling, a family friend from Vineland as he stood down the street. “It shakes you up. It’s a really bad scene up there.”