Three people taken to hospital – one in critical condition – as authorities investigate cause of explosion in community of Plum
Five people were found dead after a house explosion in western Pennsylvania destroyed three structures and damaged at least a dozen others, authorities said on Sunday.
The police chief of the community of Plum, Lanny Conley, said the bodies of four adults and one adolescent were recovered after the blast shortly before 10.30am on Saturday.
Plum is about 20 miles (32km) east of Pittsburgh.
“This is certainly a sad, sad day and a sad time, for not just the folks in Plum but all the folks in the community and in this region,” said Allegheny county executive Rich Fitzgerald.
Of the three people taken to hospitals, two were released while one remained in critical condition, said the deputy director of fire and emergency services for Allegheny county, Steve Imbarlina. Fifty-seven firefighters were treated at the scene for minor issues.
The Allegheny county medical examiner’s office is expected to provide additional information about the deceased victims.
