Kingsbury, IN – A home caught on fire in the 5100 block of South U.S. 35 in Kingsbury Friday afternoon. Authorities received a report that a natural gas explosion started the fire at 1:30 p.m. Central Standard Time. No injuries have been reported in the incident.
That is according to Capt. Mike Kellems of the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department.
“It was initially reported as an explosion of a residence,” Kellems said.
Homeowner, Rick Hostetler, was visibly shaken. All of possessions completely black, the roof caving in, and siding melted by the explosion was the sight on scene.
Investigators aren’t quite finished but they’re leaning toward a gas related explosion.
The fire started around the furnace and water heaters.
The chief said both are pretty old, a spark from one of them may have started a fire.
Neighbors told me that they heard a huge boom — it shook the earth — and looked outside to see the wall and windows blown out.
When they arrived, fire crews found the home completely engulfed, Kellems said. They did not believe the residents were home and did not think anyone was injured in the fire.
Four fire departments responded to the blaze.