Two employees at Oprandy's Fire and Safety Equipment in Middletown were airlifted to Westchester Medical Center Friday after a fierce explosion.

State police say 35-year-old Christopher Foust and 23-year-old Frank Buono, of Goshen, were filling an ansul system - used in commercial kitchens for restaurants - when it burst and severed Foust's legs. Foust is a former Warwick firefighter.

Buono was also injured and had a leg amputated.

State police are investigating what caused the explosion.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is working to determine if the company is at fault.