Headland, AL – Investigators say they can’t determine right now what caused a massive explosion and fire in Headland that left a man with serious burns on much of his body.
All left is rubble at home that exploded and burned in Headland. Photo from January 2, 2016
However, sources familiar with the probe say it is believed that a natural gas leak caused the blast that, Thursday, destroyed a home and businesses and damaged nearby structures.
This case is still under investigation but the one thing that I will say is there is no foul play involved in this, Headland Police Chief Mark Jones said during a news conference held Friday. He does not rule out leaking gas but said it’s too soon to draw conclusions.
However, others affiliated with the investigation, but not authorized to speak publicly about it, said a gas leak is almost certainly to blame. They said the Alabama Public Service Commission is now engaged in the probe along with several other state and local agencies. The PSC regulates public utilities.
Jones said that the home owned by Spencer Wells once had natural gas service when a relative lived there. Sometime between 2009 and 2011 gas was disconnected from (the) residence, he said.