Two injured after ‘significant force’ explosion in Lehi house

LEHI, Utah — Firefighters are investigating after an explosion at a home in Lehi left two people with minor injuries.

Shad Hatfield, battalion chief with the Lehi Fire Department, said crews arrived after 3:30 a.m. Friday and found the home’s windows were blown out.

“The roof actually separated from the wall itself,” said Deputy Chief Tim Robinson with the Lehi Fire Department. “There was significant force behind the explosion.”

Fire investigators determined the cause of the explosion was near the basement furnace but are still working to pinpoint exactly what happened. Investigators found little smoke and minor flames in the basement. The home’s interior suffered major structural damage.

“I was asleep and I heard this great big kaboom and I woke up and I’m like, ‘What was that?’ ” Tammy Black, who lives across the street, said. Her security camera captures the quick but powerful explosion that her house.

Four people were in the home but firefighters said only minor injuries were reported and no one was taken to the hospital. One cat was unaccounted for, according to Hatfield.

“I thought, ‘Wow. That could have been so much worse. They were so very, very lucky,’” Black said.

Investigators were on scene Friday morning, working to determine what may have caused the explosion.

Robinson said investigators are focusing on the possibility of a small gas leak and said the homeowner reported that he thought he smelled gas the night before. He reminded to always leave your home and call 911 if you smell gas.

“Get everyone out as quickly as possible if you do smell gas,” he said. “Make the phone call outside of the home. Don’t make the phone call inside. Don’t turn on any lights or hit any switches on your way out.”

“With the extent of the damage to the home and the force of the explosion it’s very surprising that there were minor injuries,” Robinson added.