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Officials: Residents reported the smell of gas before explosion

Posted at 3:11 PM, Nov 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-25 15:12:36-05

WOLFE COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Wolfe County officials said they received reports about the smell of gas before a home exploded on Saturday afternoon.

Prior to the explosion on Harvest Church Loop Road in Campton, Wolfe County dispatch received two calls from an individual in the home complaining about the smell of gas, according to the Wolfe County Emergency Management Director.

EMA Director Marcus Stephens told LEX 18 about the calls Sunday afternoon, but wasn't able to give an exact time line of events.

Stephens said the caller complained about the smell of gas coming from the basement. Kentucky State Police said that the two bodies were found in the basement.

After the first call, employees of a gas company responded to the home, according to Stephens. It is unclear what they determined. LEX 18 is trying to independently verify the name of the gas company.

The smell of gas had apparently lingered, because, according to Stephens, dispatchers later received a second call from the home. At that point dispatchers notified the Campton Volunteer Fire Department and Hazel Green Volunteer Fire Department.

Stephens said firefighters were on their way to the house when the explosion happened.

Four people were taken to the hospital and are expected to be okay.

The names of the victims have not been released.

Investigators have not yet determined a cause of the explosion but they requested gas company employees shut off gas in the area.

Line technicians are expected to check the main gas line and conduct readings of individual meters.

As of Sunday afternoon, several residents in the area were without gas.

All donations can be made or dropped off at the Campton Head Start.