State officials, ATF investigating Lancaster home explosion

LANCASTER CO. — Investigators still do not know what caused a Lancaster County home to explode Friday night.

Rubble is all that's left of the home. Luckily, the family that lived there was not home at the time of the explosion.

The blast was so powerful it sent sharp objects flying through the air as far as one mile away. No one was hurt.

Authorities say the cause is most likely a natural gas explosion, but they cannot confirm that until further investigation.

Neighbors sent video of flames shooting up as high as the trees. They say they were awakened by the explosion.

"A big boom and bolt, both of us heard it. It shook us out of bed, actually," said neighbor Audrey Wood. "By the grace of God they weren't home, they were out of town on vacation."

The fire marshal told Channel 9 the blast was so strong it shook homes within a 10-mile radius of the explosion. Wood and insulation went flying as far as a mile away. Five houses have visible damage.

Wood's front porch fell apart during the blast.
 
"It is amazing that it did this much damage to our house. It's hard to believe," Wood said.

The family who lived at this now-demolished house was too upset to talk on camera. Channel 9 will bring updates from investigators as that information becomes available.

WSOC