Published Friday, March 5, 1999 Natural gas "came into the house somehow,'' said South Pymatuning Township Police Chief John Kelly. "Whether it's from an appliance, we really can't say.''
He said the explosion appears to have been accidental.
A state police fire marshal is investigating the explosion at 3460 N. Hermitage Road, which caused more than $200,000 in damage to the structure and antiques inside, said South Pymatuning Township Fire Chief Jerry Zahniser.
"The damage was pretty widespread,'' he said.
The owners, Don and Ruth Moore, have been in Florida since October. A relative has been coming by regularly to check on the place, neighbors said.
Two of them, Dr. James and Tammy Bonanni, had just settled down to watch some television at about 1:20 p.m. Thursday when they heard a boom that shook their North Hermitage Road house.
Mrs. Bonanni thought it was a bomb. Her husband thought it sounded more like the crash of a C130 cargo plane, which often flies overhead.
"I could definitely tell it came from the side of the house,'' he said about 20 minutes after the explosion as he and his wife stood near what remained of the brick house next door.
The explosion ripped the two garage doors open, tore bricks off the exterior and shattered a large picture window in the front, scattering shards of glass about 15 feet away.
The Bonannis said they reported a gas leak in the Moores' front yard last week and that National Fuel workers checked it.
National Fuel Gas spokeswoman Nancy Taylor confirmed there was a leak in the main line but said it was fixed Feb. 23 and it checked out after the explosion.
"Thank God nobody was in the house,'' Bonanni said.
The Bonannis dialed 911 and then called the Moores in Florida.
"I told them to take their time and we'd do the best we could'' until they return, Bonanni said.
Mrs. Bonanni said this morning the house has been boarded up and the contents will be boxed and removed.
Clark and Hermitage firefighters assisted.
