Two people were killed after a house exploded in Crescent Township, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.Video above: Neighbor recounts hearing explosionAuthorities say the blast was reported shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday. Units from Crescent, Moon and Sewickley responded to the scene, as well as responders from Ambridge. Two people, 87-year-old Helen H. Mitchell and 89-year-old David L. Mitchell Jr., were killed in the blast, according to the county medical examiner. Both were found dead at the scene. ” very significant explosion,” said Crescent Township fire chief Andrew Tomer. “You could feel it in your chest.””I froze and I ran outside because I thought it was something in the factory or a truck hit our building,” said John Bundy with Premier Pan, whose building is near the explosion site.In addition to the home that was destroyed, two other homes were damaged in the blast. Allegheny County’s emergency management and fire marshal staff have been sent to the scene. The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms is also on scene assisting in the investigation. Authorities are asking for people to avoid the area while they investigate. Sister station WTAE’s Sky 4 flew over the area where a massive amount of debris could be seen.CLICK HERE FOR VIDEOA neighbor who lives nearby told us the windows of her home were blown out and debris was flying everywhere.There was a private gas well and propane tanks at the home, but no official cause of the explosion has been determined. Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for oversight of gas wells, including private wells like one found at the home that exploded Tuesday.However, the well does not show up on online DEP records and maps, indicating the agency may not have been aware of the well’s existence. DEP spokesperson Neil Shader said the agency is joining police and fire officials in investigating the explosion. The blast comes seven months to the day since another home outside of Pittsburgh exploded, killing six people and destroying three homes.
Two people were killed after a house exploded in Crescent Township, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.
Video above: Neighbor recounts hearing explosion
Authorities say the blast was reported shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday. Units from Crescent, Moon and Sewickley responded to the scene, as well as responders from Ambridge.
Two people, 87-year-old Helen H. Mitchell and 89-year-old David L. Mitchell Jr., were killed in the blast, according to the county medical examiner. Both were found dead at the scene.
“[It was a] very significant explosion,” said Crescent Township fire chief Andrew Tomer. “You could feel it in your chest.”
“I froze and I ran outside because I thought it was something in the factory or a truck hit our building,” said John Bundy with Premier Pan, whose building is near the explosion site.
In addition to the home that was destroyed, two other homes were damaged in the blast.
Allegheny County’s emergency management and fire marshal staff have been sent to the scene. The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms is also on scene assisting in the investigation.
Authorities are asking for people to avoid the area while they investigate.
Sister station WTAE’s Sky 4 flew over the area where a massive amount of debris could be seen.
A neighbor who lives nearby told us the windows of her home were blown out and debris was flying everywhere.
There was a private gas well and propane tanks at the home, but no official cause of the explosion has been determined.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for oversight of gas wells, including private wells like one found at the home that exploded Tuesday.
However, the well does not show up on online DEP records and maps, indicating the agency may not have been aware of the well’s existence.
DEP spokesperson Neil Shader said the agency is joining police and fire officials in investigating the explosion.
The blast comes seven months to the day since another home outside of Pittsburgh exploded, killing six people and destroying three homes.
