Propane gas may have caused the explosion that killed a man and destroyed a house Friday in White County, an official said.
The blast happened about 10:45 a.m. at the house at 64 Rhododendron Lane in the unincorporated Sautee Nacoochee community, said Glenn Allen of the state insurance and safety fire commissioner’s office.
The identity of the victim, who was in his 70s, has not been released.
The explosion damaged seven nearby homes and some were pushed off their foundation, Channel 2 Action News reported.
“What led to the leaks (of the gas) is still unknown,” Allen said.
All indications are that the leak came from inside the home, according to David Murphy, the White County director of public safety.
The tank at the house passed a pressure check Jan. 31, Allen said, and 250 gallons of propane was loaded into the tank on that date. The tank has a 320-gallon capacity.
The man who was killed was related to someone who lived in the home, Channel 2 reported.
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