House explosion in Pennsylvania kills 1 worker, injures 3

MANOR TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- Authorities say a blast believed to have been a gas explosion leveled a Pennsylvania home, killing one utility worker and injuring three others.

Residents on that block are without gas Sunday evening as crews investigate.

A coroner was called to the scene after the explosion was reported at about 12:15 p.m. Sunday in Manor Township near Millersville in Lancaster County.

A photo and a video tweeted by firefighters show a large debris field with smoke rising from the scene.

The homeowner's son Connor Hughes said the house was just gone.

Hughes spoke to Action News via Facetime.

He was the first in his family to learn the home had been leveled, even though his mother had been evacuated by utility workers.

When asked if his mom smelled gas, Hughes said, "Someone actually walked by and smelled it, and knocked on the door and told her, and that's when she called, and then they came in and said oh it's 12 percent inside, but it's really strong outside."

The home was blown to splinters as workers were called to repair a gas leak.

UGI Utilities confirmed one of their workers was killed.

Three others - two from UGI and one from the sewer department were injured.

Calling the event 'tragic', UGI released a statement in part:

"Our thoughts are with the family of our fellow employee who lost his life as well as our employees who were injured."

Four surrounding homes were also damaged in the explosion.

Gas to the block was turned off while crews performed enhanced leak detection surveys to ensure the lines are secure.

Still the Hughes family is in shock.

"Been there almost 9 years, super random, crazy, unbelievable," Hughes said.

Two of the victims are stable, and the third is in critical condition.

Officials have not released the name of the worker killed.

Utility company says residents will get their gas back at the earliest Monday morning.

One resident told us, they are doing just fine without for the time being.

Rescue workers told LNP newspaper that residents were evacuated from the home before the explosion.

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