Rockland

Injured West Haverstraw volunteer firefighter Ken Patterson moved closer to home today when he was transferred to Helen Hayes Hospital for rehabilitation for injuries suffered in last Monday’s townhouse explosion.

Patterson suffered broken bones and ribs, a back injury and serious burns to his face and head when leaked gas from a ruptured line blew up the townhouse at 52 Zarriello Lane.

Patterson, fellow volunteer firefighter Jerry Knapp and two Orange and Rockland Utilities workers were on the front steps when the explosion occurred. They reported being knocked back up to 40 feet by the power of the explosion.

The explosion at the Village Fairgrounds II development remains under investigation. FGC Communications of Cortlandt Manor has been accused of digging without required flags and other markings showing the location of underground utility lines.

A Haverstraw Ambulance Corps crew was scheduled to pick up Patterson at Westchester Medical Center this morning for a trip to Helen Hayes Hospital. Patterson was at one time listed as serious in the Intersive Care Unit at Westchester Medical Center.

Patterson, 48, nearly died fighting a fire almost a year ago on Jan. 14, 2011, when he was inside a home on Westside Avenue that had been illegally converted and he became disoriented while searching for potential victims. He ran out of air inside the burning building and issued a mayday call. Another firefighter, Andrew Kolesar, heard the call, found Patterson in the building and rescued him.

Knapp, 57, an accomplished firefighter with a degree in fire protection, suffered a concussion, a fractured cheekbone, first- and second-degree burns to his head, and bad bruises to his leg.

Photos: Ken Patterson, upper right, and Jerry Knapp, lower right

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