Crews Respond to House Explosion, Fire

Authorities are now trying to pinpoint the exact cause of a huge explosion that triggered a fire that destroyed a McKean Township home this morning.

A State Police Fire Marshall is investigating the cause of the explosion that occurred just before 6 a.m. Thursday morning in the basement of the home at 3851 Hershey Road.

When McKean volunteer fire fighters arrived the home was completely engulfed in flames. In all, eight companies fought the flames in bitter cold temperatures, and a water supply far from the home. The three story home is at least a quarter-mile off of Hershey road making it difficult for firefighters to get water to the home. 

Two adults and one teenager were home at the time of the explosion, but they managed to get out of the home safely, however, a family dog did perish in the fire.

The exact cause has yet to be determined but firefighters think a leak in a propane tank may have caused the explosion.

"According to the homeowner, he was up and got into the shower, turned on the hot water and he heard the explosion. The assumption at this point is some type of gas, propane leaking in the basement at the time," said McKean Fire Chief Jim Pyle "there was a propane tank which we had a hard time finding, buried underground. Snow covered the lid, that was feeding a source into the basement."

We're told the family declined help from the Red Cross, instead relying on family and friends as they try to cope with their loss.