An investigation is under way to determine what caused an explosion in Front Royal, Va., that killed two people and destroyed three buildings.
There were reports that a diesel truck caused the blast, but Warren County Sheriff Norman Shiflett told News4 he could not confirm that. He said investigators are looking into the possibility that the blast was caused by a propane tank or a natural gas line that runs through that area.
Shiflett said the two people killed lived in two of the houses that were destroyed. One person was inside one of the houses and the other person was standing outside.
When the fire department arrived, the sheriff said two houses were on fire, one house had been leveled, and there were flames coming from a house trailer.
The blast occurred shortly after 6 a.m., on U.S. Route 522 near the Front Royal exit of Interstate 66. State Police closed Route 522 in both directions at Interstate 66 after the blast, but traffic is now being allowed to pass through that area.
A number of area residents reported hearing the blast from as far away as Middletown and Clarke counties. Donald Miller, who lives in Warren County, said he lives approximately 8 miles from the intersection and he heard and felt the explosion.
Stay with News4 and NBC4.com for more on this developing story.
