The blast happened just after 7 p.m. Thursday at 8 Continental Court in Middlesex County.
The fire department arrived at the scene within minutes, and quickly doused the blaze.
Authorities found two males in the rubble of the home. One had fatal injuries and was pronounced dead.
Officials say the man who died in the explosion was a retired member of the Newark police force. The extent of the other victim's injuries is unknown.
Crews worked to shut off the home's gas line Thursday night.
The roof of the home was blown off and landed on the ground almost completely intact. The walls were blown in all directions
Every home on the cul-de-sac was shaken by the explosion, sustaining shattered windows or structural damage.