Kevin Gilbert, a 26-year veteran of the Newark Police Department, died in the mysterious explosion around 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2, South River Mayor Peter Guindi tells Daily Voice. 

Gilbert was pronounced dead at the scene.

The second victim suffered burns over 90 percent of his body and was transferred from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital to St. Barnabas Hospital, according to Guindi. Guidni said it wasn't immediately clear how the two victims were related.

"We're hoping for the best," the mayor said. "We're praying he pulls out of it."

The explosion severely damaged five neighboring homes, leaving those families displaced, Guindi said.

Guindi had spoken to a fellow Newark police officer who said Gilbert was "very well-respected by the department."

Newark Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé offered "deepest condolences to the family and colleagues" of Gilbert who served the Newark Police Division from September 1990 to April 2016. 

During his nearly 26-year tenure, retired Officer Gilbert served in various Newark Police Division units, ranging from the 4th Precinct Detective Bureau to the Robbery Unit and the Safe City Task Force. 

"On behalf of the entire Newark Department of Public Safety, Director Fragé offers prayers of peace and comfort to the loved ones of retired Newark Police Officer Kevin Gilbert. May he forever Rest in Peace," the department said in a statement.

Gilbert was an Orange High School graduate who studied at Bloomfield College, according to his Facebook page.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story said the mayor identified the burn victim as Gilbert's son. Guindi later contacted Daily Voice and said that this was not the case. The burn victim's identity remains unclear.

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