JULY 26, 2015
CASEYVILLE, ILLINOIS
Authorities thought three of four dogs in a Caseyville home were killed by an explosion that destroyed the house Saturday.
But neighbors called the Hollywood Heights fire department Sunday evening they heard barking. Firefighters were eventually able to dig their way to the animals with a backhoe.
“We were there for a long time Saturday and no one heard a thing,” Hollywood Heights Fire Department chief Buddy Moore said. “But neighbors called us Sunday afternoon to say that they heard barking.”
The three dogs still in the house were in kennels in the basement, according to St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency Director Herb Simmons. One kennel was partially crushed and had to be cut open to free the animal inside. There was a fourth dog in the house not in a kennel that fled the home Saturday after the blast.
A natural gas explosion is blamed for causing the destruction of the house in the first block of Edgewood Lane Saturday evening, according to fire department leaders.
The owner of the house was not in the home at the time of the blast. No one was injured in the explosion, although debris was scattered throughout the neighborhood.
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But neighbors called the Hollywood Heights fire department Sunday evening they heard barking. Firefighters were eventually able to dig their way to the animals with a backhoe.
“We were there for a long time Saturday and no one heard a thing,” Hollywood Heights Fire Department chief Buddy Moore said. “But neighbors called us Sunday afternoon to say that they heard barking.”
The three dogs still in the house were in kennels in the basement, according to St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency Director Herb Simmons. One kennel was partially crushed and had to be cut open to free the animal inside. There was a fourth dog in the house not in a kennel that fled the home Saturday after the blast.
A natural gas explosion is blamed for causing the destruction of the house in the first block of Edgewood Lane Saturday evening, according to fire department leaders.
The owner of the house was not in the home at the time of the blast. No one was injured in the explosion, although debris was scattered throughout the neighborhood.
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CASEYVILLE, ILLINOIS
An explosion, possibly caused by natural gas, leveled a two-story
home at 40 Edgewood Lane in rural Caseyville about 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Dan Smith, resident of the rental home, said he had left the home at about noon to go work at a friend’s house.
“I have no idea what happened. I didn’t smell any gas when I left here,” Smith said.
A neighbor, Darlene Jonas, said she heard an explosion.
“As soon as I sat down on the couch, I hear ‘boom,’ one big explosion,” she said. “I’m still shaking from it.”
The blast sent debris from the home, including a door, onto neighboring lawns.
Neighbor Larry Arnold, who lives across the street, said, “It shook the whole neighborhood. It felt like it was going to blow my door off.”
Hollywood Heights Fire Chief Buddy Moore said the explosion appeared to be caused by natural gas.
“It blew it off the foundation. That’s how much of an impact it had,” Moore said.
Moore added that no one was injured, and no one was home. He also said utility companies were on site Saturday night.
Dan Smith, resident of the rental home, said he had left the home at about noon to go work at a friend’s house.
“I have no idea what happened. I didn’t smell any gas when I left here,” Smith said.
A neighbor, Darlene Jonas, said she heard an explosion.
“As soon as I sat down on the couch, I hear ‘boom,’ one big explosion,” she said. “I’m still shaking from it.”
The blast sent debris from the home, including a door, onto neighboring lawns.
Neighbor Larry Arnold, who lives across the street, said, “It shook the whole neighborhood. It felt like it was going to blow my door off.”
Hollywood Heights Fire Chief Buddy Moore said the explosion appeared to be caused by natural gas.
“It blew it off the foundation. That’s how much of an impact it had,” Moore said.
Moore added that no one was injured, and no one was home. He also said utility companies were on site Saturday night.