46-year-old Jason Lee Beach of Wilmington has been charged with DWI-felony serious injury, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit and run/leave scene, reckless driving, and failure to maintain lane.

He is currently being held under a $100,000 secured bond at the NHSO Detention Center.

Authorities say that a car hit the Eastern Carolina Veterinary Referral building at 5051 New Centre Drive and ruptured a gas line at around 11:30 a.m. Minutes later, the building exploded.

WPD also stated that four firefighters were injured while battling the fire. One of those firefighters was taken to Chapel Hill with severe burns on their hands. The other three have since been released, WFD confirmed. One suffered an ankle injury after falling from a ladder while responding to the explosion, WFD said.

The Veterinary Clinic’s Administrator, Gary Walker, said he was shocked: “I was like, ‘this can’t be happening.’ We were just weeks away from our grand opening.”

According to the business’s website, it was expected to open the new location next month.