What likely was a gas explosion virtually destroyed a Kansas City, Kan., home Friday morning, seriously injuring a woman occupant.
The explosion occurred about 11:30 a.m. in the 6600 block of Wood Avenue. The blast rocked and rattled the neighborhood just south of Parallel Parkway.
Authorities said a woman from 28 to 32 years old was seriously injured from burns suffered as fire spread through the split-level house. Authorities did not release her name Friday.
Neighbors said she did not live at the house but often stayed there with her boyfriend. The boyfriend could not be contacted Friday.
Battalion Fire Chief Bob Zahtner said that when firefighters arrived, the house was engulfed in flames. Zahtner said the woman, who was taken to University of Kansas Hospital, had been burned on 70 percent of her body.
Fire Marshall Ed Gripp said that although the investigation was continuing, he thought a gas leak had caused the explosion. He said that neighbors did not need to worry, because the leak was an isolated one and did not have to do with a gas line problem.
Marilyn Yacich, who lives three doors west of the home, said she heard and felt the explosion. Afterward, she saw flames billowing from the house. Her daughter heard a woman yelling.
