The New Hampshire Union Leader, Manchester
(TNS)
Apr. 4—A woman died and a girl was injured in a house explosion and fire in Derry Thursday morning.
Derry Fire Chief Shawn Haggart said crews responded to reports of a house explosion at 141 Goodhue Road around 11:40 a.m. They encountered heavy fire and a partially-collapsed building, with one person unaccounted for.
The missing person, an elderly woman, was found dead in the home, State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said. A girl was taken to a Boston hospital for treatment but is expected to survive.
"She's got a long road ahead, but she should be OK," Toomey said.
The woman and the girl, whom Toomey said were "family," were the only people in the home at the time of the explosion.
Their exact location inside the home at the time has yet to be determined, Toomey said.
The identity of the deceased is expected to be released Friday after an autopsy, Toomey said.
The exact cause remains under investigation, but Toomey said weather may have played a part in the blast. A tree fell onto a propane tank near the home, possibly setting off the explosion.
"That is one of the things we're looking at," Toomey said. "We've got to look at all the circumstances surrounding it, all the potential ignition sources and causes of the fire and subsequent explosion."
There is no danger to other homes in the area, Toomey said.
With heavy snow and strong winds in the area, weather was a factor.
"Crews were hampered by the obvious weather conditions," Battalion Chief Ron Sebastian said. "With different roads being closed and with trees down the storm did have an effect but crews were able to get there in a timely manner."
"I'd ask that everyone keep the family in their thoughts as we process this tragedy, and I'd ask the same for my members," Haggart said. "Keep them in your thoughts as well."
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