Propane tank causes house explosion in Bristol, VA; 3 injured

BRISTOL, Va. (AP) - Authorities say three people were injured when an explosion flattened their Bristol home.

Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman said by telephone Thursday that the family had trouble with their furnace and thought they turned it off Wednesday night.

Gas built up in the basement overnight and Newman says something triggered an explosion early Thursday that "completely demolished" the one-story house, damaged neighboring homes and injured three residents. He says a woman's leg was broken and her husband and son had cuts and bruises.

Images from the scene show a smoking pile of debris and wood, siding and insulation strewn around the neighborhood.

Virginia State Police and the sheriff's office are investigating the cause of the explosion. So far, state police say it appears to be accidental.

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