INDEPENDENCE, Missouri (KCTV) – The investigation into a house explosion that rocked a home in Independence Monday night is complete.
The Independence Fire Department said a company trying to install Google Fiber damaged a gas line in a neighborhood near East Fair Street and South Pearl Street. Investigators said the damaged line caused a gas leak in the home’s basement. The gas pooled there and eventually exploded.
The fire department rushed to the neighborhood and quickly extinguished the fire caused by the explosion.
Gas crews arrived and began repairing the leak. They also checked gas levels in neighboring homes and found high levels, according to the fire department.
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Firefighters then evacuated more houses, which shocked the people living there.
“Not knowing what was going to happen and when we would be able to return to the house was horrible,” said Lauren Moreland.
Residents said the uncertainty about what happened made the emergency even more disturbing.
“At the same time they were digging there, they were also digging a hole in our yard right next to our driveway. My first thought was that the same thing was going to happen to our house because my kids’ bedrooms are right over there,” Moreland said.
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According to the city, the damaged house is now considered a hazardous building. This means that the residents can no longer live there for safety reasons.
“You don’t want something like this to happen to someone, and I know we were praying for her,” said neighbor Rayland Farlough.
A city spokesman also said the contractors had the necessary permits for the work they performed.
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