Investigation into Crescent Township home explosion that left 2 dead underway
CRESCENT TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) - It's been more than a day since a massive home explosion in Crescent Township killed a husband and wife.
In the light of day, you can see the debris in the trees. You can smell the smoke from the fire, and the investigation led by the Allegheny County Fire Marshal and ATF is underway.
Eighty-seven-year-old Helen Mitchell and 89-year-old David Mitchell Jr. are dearly missed. Their neighbors, loved ones and strangers feel the gravity of the sudden loss in the explosion.
"Very significant explosion, you could feel it in your chest, you could definitely feel the explosion," said Crescent Fire Chief Andrew Tomer.
It happened just before 9 a.m. and now nothing is left except the foundation of the home on Riverview Road.
Several communities up and down the Ohio River felt the explosion.
"The best way to describe it -- a blast, a sonic boom, I've never felt anyone's felt before my first reaction was to run outside," recalled John Bundy.
From there, police, fire and EMS crews from across the region did everything they could to stop the flames but it was ultimately too late.
Their son James Mitchell said his parents were married for 64 years. "They were wonderful people and the best kind of parents—encouraging you to become the best person you could be with the assurance of absolute love. They lived together, worked together, spent almost all of their time together," he said.
Investigators have said that a private well serviced the home and the state told KDKA-TV that natural gas from a private well may have little or no odor to alert users if there is a leak.
The explosion took out windows and damaged their neighbor Mary Zawoysky's door.
"There were things flying through the air, all over the place," she said. "I looked outside and there was a giant flame, and I could not see the house through there, which made me think it was gone."
Helen and David's daughter lives next door and she was on her way to see them when she saw the explosion happen.
"I spoke to Annie today just to give her a hug and just to let her know, that's all. They're of course in grieving mode," Zawoysky said from her driveway.
The couple is being remembered for their involvement in the community. Many people knew them in a township of only 2,500 people. The Mitchells created memories in their home along the Ohio River. Now they lay scattered around the hillside. Some of their neighbors are making sure those are not lost.
"It's horrible to think about. Think about in your own home, the important things, and even if you would maybe have it in a special box that you would take if there was an emergency -- that's gone," Zawoysky said.
Everyone on the street is trying to be there for their neighbors at this sad time as investigators still comb through debris. According to a county spokesperson, there were two minor rekindles in the foundation that firefighters had to put out. They said the difficult part is that there's smoldering debris below a large collapsed piece of concrete.
"There's not really much to be said the day after. We are just waiting to help in any way we can," Zawoysky said.
With caring hearts in the community, police are warning everyone not to fall for scams claiming to take donations for the family.
According to the county, investigators are still looking for the source of this blast. Sources said the township board of commissioners is expected to address the tragic loss at their meeting Wednesday night.