Explosion in Raleigh County Levels Gas Station
Crews on scene.
GHENT -- Emergency crews are on the scene of an explosion at a gas station on U.S 19.
The explosion occurred at the Little General just before 11 a.m.
A 59News crew at the scene said at least seven people were killed and several cars were overturned. However, there have been no official reports on the number of fatalities.
The building was destroyed in the explosion. A cause has not been determined, but preliminary reports indicate a propane tank may have exploded.
Bystanders said there was an odor of gas before the explosion.
A temporary command center is being set up at the Ghent Volunteer Fire Department.
Raleigh County Sheriff Danny Moore said crews are searching the scene. (snip)
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US 19
Gas Station Explosion Kills 4 in W.Va. (1/30/07)
GHENT, W.Va. (AP) -- An explosion leveled a gas station near a ski resort Tuesday morning, killing at least four people and seriously injuring at least nine others, authorities said.
A firefighter and a paramedic were among the injured at the Flat Top Little General Store on Route 19, said Kim O'Brien, spokeswoman for the state Fire Marshal's office, who provided the casualty figures.
Authorities suspect that a propane tank exploded at about 10:45 a.m., just as a fire truck was pulling into the station in response to a report of a leak.
The cause of the explosion has not been determined. O'Brien said she's not sure whether it was a propane tank or a liquid petroleum tank that exploded.
All that's left of the building is a pile of debris, twisted metal framework and a sign showing the price of gasoline starting at $2.19 a gallon.
The explosion was felt at least a mile away at The Ski Shop. "I thought we got struck by lightning. The whole building shook. The power went off," said Ben Monast, the shop's manager.