Ripley, NY – An explosion and fire that leveled a house in Ripley on Monday was set off by the homeowner’s gas line repair that didn’t hold, investigators said today.
Crews from several fire departments were called to 24 Lakeview Ave. in Ripley after the explosion was reported at about 11:25 a.m. on Monday. There were no injuries in the explosion.
The explosion was set off by natural gas that had filled the basement of the house, according to the Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team. The homeowner had repaired a gas line break on his own in December, but the repaired section came loose as the ground settled, investigators said.