One hospitalized after Sandwich fire

SANDWICH, Mass. - A home was destroyed by fire and one person was rushed to the hospital early yesterday morning in Sandwich.

Firefighters say they arrived at 8 Chaucer Street just after 4 a.m. to find the home completely engulfed in flames.

The Cape Cod Times reported Joseph Kuzava was seriously injured when the home he rents exploded. He suffered second-degree burns to his upper torso and was flown to Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston.

Kuzava was put on a respirator because of the heavy medication doctors administered, but he is expected to survive, the newspaper reported.

A water heater was installed at the home yesterday, family members told the Cape Cod Times, and Kuzava had complained about a smell of gas after the installation.

Neighbors say they heard a loud blast before the fire. Sandwich fire Capt. Timothy McMahon said the cause of the fire is under investigation, but investigators are "looking at" the water heater.

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