Man believed dead after large home explosion
GIG HARBOR, Wash. -- Police and rescuers are searching for the body of a man believed to have been killed in a home explosion late Monday night in Pierce County.
Firefighters were called to a fire around 11:45 p.m. in a home in the 8800 block of 75 Avenue NW following multiple reports of an explosion.
The home -- constructed of heavy timbers -- was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The Gig Harbor Fire incident commander issued a 2nd alarm, calling firefighters from the Tacoma Fire Department, West Pierce Fire and Rescue, South Kitsap Fire and Rescue and Key Peninsula Fire.
Firefighters quickly attempted to make entry into the home once they learned an elderly man lived in the house. However, the fire was so bad firefighters were unable to breach the structure. It took firefighters 75 minutest get the flames under control, and as of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, investigators had not found the elderly occupant's body. It is believed he died in the fire.
Heavy equipment is being brought in to further investigate the blaze. The cause of the fire and explosion have not yet been determined.