Harrison, MT- A propane-fueled explosion leveled a home in Harrison on Sunday, injuring the sole occupant who was air-lifted to the University of Utah Health Care Burn Center in Salt Lake City.
Late Sunday, she was listed in critical condition, a hospital spokesman said.
Initial reports from authorities indicated the woman, who has not been identified, made the 911 call from beneath the rubble. But Harrison Volunteer Fire Department Chief Joe Husar said Monday morning that updated information shows the call came from someone who works close to the home where the blast occurred.
However, Husar said the victim apparently gave the thumbs up from the stretcher while being hauled to an ambulance. Neighbors gathered at the scene responded with cheers and clapping. The ambulance drove her two blocks to the Harrison High School playing field, where a helicopter was waiting. She was flown to Bozeman, and then to Salt Lake City.
“You’d have sworn to God that if anybody had been in there, they never would have survived. The Lord was looking over her today, Husar said of the woman, believed to be in her late 20s or early 30s.
Husar said the call came in shortly after 11 a.m.
Authorities suspect a propane leak had filled the house, and a flick of a room light ignited the volatile gas. Husar said the woman was found in the bathroom area of the one-story rented house. Neighbors first on the scene extinguished what fire there was with garden hoses, and also found her in the debris, Husar said. The neighboring houses each between 10 and 20 feet away sustained only broken windows. However, debris spread everywhere.
Residents who live across the street and happened to be on their front porch when the explosion occurred said a mushroom-like cloud rose from the one-bedroom stucco-sided home.
Then the sky began to rain rubble, Husar said.
People “were ducking debris, Husar said. “Debris spread over half a block.
Husar said authorities suspect because it was an old stick-built house, that the explosion went up rather than out, which would have greatly impacted the neighboring homes.
Hursar said the investigation has been turned over to the state fire marshal.
Harrison is located 50 miles southeast of Butte on Highway 287.