Houston, TX- HOUSTON — A natural gas explosion destroyed a southwest Houston home Thursday night, injuring two people, officials told Local 2.
Two people were injured Thursday night after a natural gas explosion caused their southwest Houston to burst into flames, officials told Local 2
Four people were inside the home on the 11000 block of Hillcroft near Portal around 11:30 p.m. when the blast occurred and the home went up in flames.
Firefighters said the explosion was so strong that it knocked off bricks.
Everyone escaped the home, but a grandfather and his granddaughter received minor burn injuries. Both were treated and released at the scene.
“The owner was able to get out, along with the grandchildren, which was very fortunate,” Houston Fire Department District Chief James Soukup told Local 2.
Firefighters were forced to fight the fire from outside the home after learning the homeowner had ammunition in a room.
An early investigation showed the cause might have been a natural gas explosion. Firefighters said that possibility could have made it more difficult to battle the blaze because it would have fueled the flames.
HFD officials determined the home would have to be demolished because it was no longer structurally sound.
“It is an issue that you have to grapple with, but the safety of any passers-by or citizens that may come into the home (is at stake). The home could easily collapse because so much of the structure has been damaged,” Soukup said.
Arson investigators were called to the scene to investigate.
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