Elderly Woman Burned In Gunpowder Blast In Home's Garage

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say an elderly woman was severely burned when gunpowder exploded in the garage of her western Pennsylvania home.

Emergency crews in Cambria County were called to the Richland Township home after the blast, which was reported shortly before 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Chief Bob Heffelfinger of the Richland Volunteer Fire Department said the woman, who is in her 70s, sustained second- and third-degree burns over 50 percent of her body.

She was transported to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center and then flown to West Penn Burn Center, where her condition wasn't immediately available.

Officials said the woman's husband and a resident of the other unit of the duplex escaped injury. A state police fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze.