Rand, WV – A Rand home burst into flames and burned to the ground Wednesday after a gas leak caused an explosion inside the house.
Rand Volunteer Fire Department chief Bill White said a structure fire at 5105 Church Dr. was reported at 6:41 p.m. Wednesday. The occupant escaped before the building collapsed.
It totaled the house, White said. It destroyed the house but it landed in such a position that everyone was able to escape, and then it completely collapsed.
The individual who escaped the home was transported to an area hospital. White did not know the extent of her injuries.
White said residents who smell gas inside their homes should immediately shut it off and call the gas company. He said even a very small spark can set off a house-leveling explosion.
If you smell any kind of a gas leak, you need to call somebody to check it out because if it gets in your cinderblock or in your attic and it finds an ignition source like a lightswitch or a water heater, it can set it off and cause quite an explosion, White said.
The Rand and Marmet volunteer fire departments responded to the scene.