Family out of hospital after home explodes in Plum
PLUM (KDKA) -- A neighborhood has been left rattled after a home exploded in Plum Borough, leaving nothing but pieces behind.
A cousin of the family involved in the explosion told KDKA that all five members of the family who were injured are out of the hospital and despite the shock, everyone is doing okay.
"They had minutes to get out of there. Minutes. If you don't believe in god, there's an example that proves there is one," said Plum Mayor Harry Schlegel.
The family was at their Hialeah Drive home at the time, getting ready for bed. The parents got their two youngest boys out on the main level while the oldest, an 11-year-old, escaped through the basement.
"The sound was like a bomb went off in our front yard. Like if a plane had crashed in our front yard, that's what it sounded like. It rocked our house," said neighbor Greg Fischer.
At this time, there are multiple investigations going on, trying to figure out what caused the explosion. According to People's Gas, a preliminary investigation found no leaks or any indication of any failure in the pipeline. A spokesperson told KDKA that they will continue safety checks in the area and work with the fire marshal's office, which is leading the investigation.
The Pennsylvania Utility Commission's safety division is also investigating along with the fire marshal. A spokesperson said they are working to determine if a public utility service was involved, as well as looking into a possible cause and circumstances surrounding the incident.
The home was just sold to a company that wanted to flip it. Then it was sold to the family living in it in December, before the explosion.
This isn't the first time this neighborhood has experienced an incident like this. In 2008, less than a mile away, a house exploded on Mardi Gras Drive, killing a man.
