MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. —
Two people were pulled from debris and taken to a hospital Saturday night following a house explosion in Moon Township, Channel 11 News reports.
The blast occurred in the 1500 block of Charlton Heights Road before 7 p.m.
Moon Township police confirmed to Channel 11 News that there was a natural gas odor post-explosion and that nearby residences were evacuated.
Authorities told Channel 11's Brandon Hudson that the homeowner, Shawn Landa, 47, and neighbor Alan Lisica, 61, were the two individuals hospitalized. One was transported by medical helicopter from the scene to UPMC Mercy Hospital. The other was taken to
Mercy via ambulance. As of 2:30 p.m. Sunday, UMPC Mercy said Landa is in serious condition and Lisica is in fair condition.
The Moon Township Fire department extinguished the fire and evacuated all of the homes in the immediate area for safety purposes, police said.
Hudson reported that a worker from Columbia Gas arrived at the scene roughly one hour after the explosion.
Police said that one home was demolished and several others sustained collateral damage preventing residents from returning to them.
According to the Moon Township fire chief, approximately two dozen homes were damaged in the blast; several were condemned and three are repairable.
The other homes experienced much less damage such as broken windows, according to the fire chief.
Police said the Red Cross was called to the scene to assist these residents.
Charlton Heights Road was blocked off to traffic for many hours.
The Allegheny County Fire Marshal, Allegheny County police detectives and Columbia Gas representatives were called in to assist the Moon Township police detectives with the investigation.
According to a Columbia Gas Official, there was no evidence of a gas leak or any problem in the area.
No cause has yet been determined. The investigation is ongoing.