A homeowner escaped an explosion in his New Baltimore house early Tuesday morning.
The explosion occurred at about 2 a.m. at a waterfront home on Jefferson Avenue after the Leslie family smelled natural gas, Local 4 reported. His family had exited the home, but Tim Leslie returned to obtain a cell phone to stay in touch with the gas company when the explosion occurred, the station learned.
A fire then erupted at the home, Local 4 reported. Firefighters described the flames as an orange ball of fire when they arrived, the station reported. Firefighters continued to douse flames at the scene at about 7:30 a.m.
One firefighter was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.
The house was destroyed in the explosion. It is believed some family pets did not survive the blast.
The explosion is believed to have been caused by a natural gas leak, but remains under investigation.
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