CORNISH, N.H.
--
The Cornish fire chief said a family only escaped thanks to God after a propane tank explosion Sunday.
Fire crews said a tank in the basement of the home blew up and took out two walls of the house. The rest of the home burned down before firefighters could arrive.
The homeowner, Dan Poor, said he's just thankful and he and his wife are OK.
"Considering, we are both doing OK and thankful that we are alive," Poor said.
He said he felt the explosion about 20 minutes after the couple went to sleep.
"Giving what's going on in the world the first thought was, 'Earthquake,'" Poor said.
Poor said the propane tank somehow exploded, and they couple had to run for safety.
"The stairs were for some reason still intact. But the front of the house in the first floor had blown out. We tripped over furniture trying to find out what had gone on," Poor said.
Poor said he grabbed his car keys, computer, cell phone and nothing else but the clothes on his back.
"I went out through the normal door, my wife went out through the wall and met me in the driveway," Poor said. "I grabbed a pair of slippers, my wife wasn't so fortunate."
When firefighters arrived, the house was engulfed in flames.
The couple said they've lived in the home since 1973 and have been using propane for heat and hot water for the past 15 years without incident.
Despite the loss of their home, they feel lucky to be alive.
"That's what you are thankful for. That and all of the emergency responders, friends and neighbors," Poor said.
The home owners are staying with relatives and the cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
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