Philadelphia, August 13 (IANS) A devastating house explosion in western Pennsylvania has claimed one life, while several individuals are reported missing and three others have sustained injuries, according to local officials and media sources. The incident, which occurred on Saturday morning, has left a trail of destruction, with multiple homes obliterated and numerous properties damaged.

Emergency services were alerted to the explosion and subsequent fire via a 911 call around 10:22 a.m., as detailed by Allegheny County authorities in a statement to ABC News.

The force of the blast caused one house to completely disintegrate, while flames rapidly engulfed two neighboring structures, leaving a path of devastation in its wake, revealed Allegheny County spokesperson Amie Downs.

Witnesses on the scene reported scenes of chaos, with shattered windows and debris strewn across lawns and streets in the vicinity, as per accounts provided to ABC News.

First responders faced a race against time to rescue trapped individuals buried under the debris. Three injured individuals were rushed to local medical facilities for treatment, stated Downs.

Tragically, one fatality has been confirmed, shared Steve Imbarlina, Assistant Chief of Fire/EMS at Allegheny County Emergency Services.

As the community comes to grips with the aftermath, concerns grow for the whereabouts of “several people” who are currently unaccounted for. Uncertainty surrounds the exact number of missing individuals, as responders strive to ascertain who was present at the time of the explosion, Imbarlina explained.

“Our foremost priority now is locating those individuals,” he affirmed.

The cause behind the catastrophic explosion and subsequent fire remains shrouded in mystery, prompting an in-depth investigation by authorities, including local police.

The incident unfolded within the borough of Plum, situated within the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Heart-wrenching visuals captured at the site portray homes consumed by flames in the Rustic Ridge community, underscoring the extent of the tragedy, ABC News reported.

In the immediate aftermath, authorities advised the public to steer clear of Rustic Ridge due to safety concerns.

Emergency crews continue their efforts, battling fires in adjacent structures and ensuring gas lines are secured, shared Downs.

The scene of the incident has drawn the response of eighteen fire departments, alongside Allegheny County Emergency Management officials and the Allegheny County Fire Marshals, as the investigation unfolds.

Plum, located approximately 18 miles east of Pittsburgh, now stands united in mourning as the community navigates through this distressing ordeal.

–IANS

The post Tragedy Strikes as House Explosion Rocks Pennsylvania Community. first appeared on bimaloan.net.