Man airflited after Waterloo home explosion

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Tuesday evening at about 5:44 pm, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 833 Hecker Road Waterloo for a house fire. Deputies report that the homeowner Joseph G Solomon, age 67, was working on his gas hot water heater when an explosion occurred that blew a hole in the wall and ignited the residence on fire. Deputies report that Solomon was the only one home at the time and suffered first and second degree burns to his arms and face and was treated at the scene by North Seneca Ambulance, then airlifted by Lifenet air ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for further treatment.Border City Fire was assisted by Waterloo, Magee, Junius, Seneca Falls,Fayette, Varick,Geneva, Oaks Corners,and Northside Fire Departments , who extinguished the fire.The residence suffered heavy damage and is insured but no damage estimate is available at this time.