BETHEL - An explosion leveled a six-unit condominium at Eden Ridge late Friday, sending flames into the night sky while rescue crews worked frantically to prevent the fire from spreading.

One man, Marvin Collins, was pulled from a burning unit by Lt. S.R. White of Bethel police, who was first on the scene.

White said he saw Collins through a window of the burning unit on his hands and knees, went into the condo and pulled the man outside to safety.

"I said 'Let's go'," said White, who carried Collins outside, where a passing neighbor helped drive the injured man to an ambulance en route to the scene. Collins was transported to Stephens Memorial Hospital for treatment. No information was available on his condition.

Four other people who live next door to the destroyed units were hurt by flying glass, said White. They were treated at the scene.

Rescue crews had to use a plow truck to clear debris from Vernon Street caused by the 9 p.m. explosion. The complex is about one mile from Bethel Village on Route 35. Ambulances were parked at the scene alongside firetrucks and ladders as firefighters poured water on adjacent units to contain the fire.

A neighbor, George Angevine, who lives about 150 feet from the destroyed building, said he thought five townhouse units were blown out completely by the explosion and another was in flames.

"The unit next door is burning, too, but it looks like they're getting water on it now," he said about 10 p.m. Windows in a nearby condominium were blown out by the explosion as well.

The complex was built about 20 years ago and several are used as vacation homes by skiers. Angevine said each of the units is a two-bedroom, with front entrances, basements and garages.

Angevine said he was in his home, up a hill from the scene when the explosion occurred.

"Pictures fell off the walls," he said. "I thought my roof was coming down, we've had so much snow."

Crews from the surrounding towns also responded to the scene. They were still battling flames and cleaning debris at 11:20 p.m.