Homeowner Michael Burns told reporters that no one was home Wednesday morning when the blast occurred. There were no reports of injuries, but people in about 40 homes in the neighborhood were ordered to evacuate.
NStar spokeswoman Caroline Allen says the explosion happened after a contractor for the Boston Water and Sewer Commission who was installing a water main at an intersection in the Hyde Park neighborhood hit the gas line.
Gas was released into the home, which was flattened. There were no visible flames but a plume of smoke rose from the wreckage.
