On Saturday, the Plum Borough Police Department was called after a massive explosion. According to reports, five people have been killed, while three were injured in Plum County.
Three homes were engulfed in the explosion, while other homes nearby were damaged by the debris. Among the affected homes, two were consumed and destroyed by a large fire. There is an investigation into what caused the explosion that killed five people.
“This investigation may last for months if not years so please keep that in mind. It’s a slow process,” said Steve Imbarlina, Deputy Director of Emergency Services.
They are not sure how the fire started, but there have been speculations. In Plum’s Regency Park, there were two gas leaks within a two-mile radius in the weeks leading up to the explosion. Neighbors reported a terrible smell of gas, but they are unsure if this is what caused the explosion.
Among the five who died, Keegan Clontz was a minor at the early age of 12. It is believed that he passed in the explosion alongside his father, Casey Clontz, 38.
That Monday, the owners of the home told officials that they were having issues with the hot water tank. It is unsure if officials investigated the complaint.
A neighbor who witnessed the explosion goes into detail about how it impacted and damaged his house.
“It’s just tragic, I mean, it looks like a war zone — it looks like a bomb hit our neighborhood and it’s just unfortunate,” Kolankowski continued. “I was just with some of the neighbors yesterday, right, and now this happens.”
As many firefighters risked their lives to help out on the scene, 50 of them left the scene with minor injuries.
