BOSTON -- One man died Saturday from injuries sustained in a condominium complex explosion in Norfolk.

Fire officials said William Nichols, 48, of Blackstone had been trapped in the burning rubble for an hour and 38 minutes before firefighters could rescue him.

“Those fire personnel involved in the rescue contended with zero visibility, active fire and a debris field of wood trusses and drywall,” said State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan.

Nichols, a Deno Electric Inc. employee, was taken to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where he was pronounced dead around 10:30 p.m.

Friday’s explosion happened at about 12:30 p.m. at a building under construction at the Village at River's Edge on Wildwood Road.

"I live right down the street. I heard a horrendous explosion, and I ran out and saw everything flying in the air," resident Judy Hardy said. "Insulation pieces were flying down the street. I never expected this. I feel terrible for the people who have been hurt."

Norfolk Fire Chief Coleman Bushnell said four other construction workers were still hospitalized Saturday in stable condition. Two firefighters and a nearby resident had also been injured but were treated and released.

Wrentham-based Di Placido Development Corp. was the company developing the complex.

There have been no safety violations in the past 15 years against the company, according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration records.

Bushnell said the blast was accidental. It's believed construction work in the basement triggered the rapid release of propane, which somehow ignited. However, fire officials are still investigating the exact cause.