Pennsylvania House Explodes, Injuring Mother And Two Daughters

NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) -- An explosion blamed on natural gas leveled a house and severely injured a woman and her two young daughters, one of whom had to be pulled from the burning wreckage Thursday morning, authorities said.

The explosion, which happened at about 6:30 a.m., rocked the rural Clarion County town of Porter Township. Neighbors and passers-by rushed to the splintered and burning home and found Kelly Hopper, 35, and her 4-year-old daughter outside, and pulled Hopper's 8-year-old daughter free, state police Trooper Jamie LaVier said.

Kelly Hopper and her older daughter, Alexandra, were taken to Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, where they were listed in critical and serious condition, respectively. Hopper's other daughter, Hanna, was taken to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, where she was listed in critical but stable condition.

New Bethlehem Fire Chief Barry Fox said natural gas caused the explosion, although state police fire marshals, the state Public Utility Commission and Equitable Gas were still investigating.