Explosion Destroys Home in N.C.

By Associated Press

October 5, 2001, 1:26 AM EDT

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. -- A giant explosion flattened at a home in this mountain community Thursday, sending flames towering into the sky and scattering debris for blocks, police said. One woman was missing.

The explosion prompted authorities to evacuate several neighborhoods in the area as residents reported the blast shaking their windows and walls.

"It was every bit as loud as a rocket," said neighbor Jim Partridge. "It was an explosive force that went right through you."

Neighbors said the home belonged to Jack Douglas Moore and his wife Penny. Neighbor Aaron Morrell said he ran to a window and pulled a dazed man believed to be Jack Moore out from the home's smoldering ruins.

"Then there was somebody else screaming, 'His wife is inside,"' Morrell said.

The force of the blast caused several power outages across town, authorities said.

Investigators suspected the explosion was caused by propane gas. Several power outages were reported as a result. Copyright © 2001, The Associated Press

-- Anonymous, October 05, 2001

Answers

I woudl dearly love to get rid of my natural gas heat and get a heat pump. One of these days. . .

-- Anonymous, October 05, 2001

One Dead As N.C. Home Blown Apart By Associated Press

October 5, 2001, 9:55 PM EDT

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. -- A house explosion that killed a woman and scattered debris for blocks was probably caused by a propane leak, police said.

The explosion Thursday sent flames towering into the sky, shook windows and walls in the neighborhood, and forced authorities to evacuate nearby homes.

The victim, Penny Moore, was found Friday in the rubble, police Chief Bill Hollingsed said. Her husband, Jack, was pulled from the ruins by neighbors and was not seriously injured.

Investigators believe the house's propane system leaked. Moore had told her husband and neighbors that she'd smelled fumes, Hollingsed said.

"It had built up and there was some kind of ignition," Hollingsed said.

The blast caused power outages across town, authorities said. All power had been restored Friday.

"It was every bit as loud as a rocket," neighbor Jim Partridge said. "It was an explosive force that went right through you." Copyright © 2001, The Associated Press

-- Anonymous, October 05, 2001