A quiet morning in Wilmington, North Carolina turned into chaos Tuesday after a vehicle slammed into the Eastern Carolina Veterinary Referral building, rupturing a gas line and triggering a massive explosion.

The crash caused a violent blast that sent black smoke billowing into the sky and debris scattering across the area. The building was quickly engulfed in flames as emergency crews rushed to the scene.

Authorities confirmed that three firefighters were hospitalized with injuries sustained while battling the blaze. Fortunately, no civilians were inside the building at the time of the explosion — a fact officials are calling nothing short of miraculous.

Despite the terrifying scene, officials say there were zero civilian casualties, crediting the rapid response of local fire crews for containing the disaster before it spread further.

The cause of the vehicle crash remains under investigation. Meanwhile, parts of Wilmington remain cordoned off as emergency crews continue to assess damage and secure the area.

This incident highlights the dangerous ripple effect accidents can cause when gas lines are ruptured, with city officials now reviewing safety measures to prevent similar disasters.