Candle May Be Cause Of Fire & Explosion In Washington County
VESTABURG (KDKA) – Six people were displaced after a fire destroyed a duplex in Washington County Monday night.
According to officials at the scene, the fire started on First Street in Vestaburg around 7:30 p.m.
A family of five on one side of the duplex had left the building earlier in the day because they had lost power.
Eliza Patterson, 16, returned to the home before the rest of her family. At that time, she lit a candle for light and went outside to charge her phone in the car.
Shortly after, there was an explosion and fire quickly engulfed the house.
"I lit a candle because the power was out and apparently the oxygen tank was leaking. The leaking oxygen tank hit the flame and it exploded, It definitely exploded and there was like four or five tanks in there," Patterson said.
Oxygen tanks were delivered to the home recently because the teen's mother's fiancé was battling pneumonia.
The fire marshal is currently trying to determine if the explosion was caused by one of the oxygen tanks.
Neighbors said they felt their homes shake as a result of the explosion.
However, there are no reported injuries.
Mike Matusky, the man who lived on the other side of the duplex lost his possessions in the fire. He was not home at the time because he had previously been taken to the hospital. However, crews were able to rescue his dog.
Patterson, her mother, her mother's fiancé, an 11-year-old girl and a 2-month-old baby lost everything in the fire. The family of five lost everything and did not have renter's insurance.
Those who would like to help can donate via:
Jennifer White and family:
Crosspoint Assembly of God
550 W George St.
Carmichaels, PA 15320
c/o Jennifer White.
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