Smoking blamed for Western Pennsylvania house explosions
Notice: Undefined variable: article_ad_placement3 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 128
NORTH BELLE VERNON (AP) – Officials say a Western Pennsylvania man was hospitalized after a fire broke out in his home following a series of explosions believed to have been triggered by his smoking.
Assistant Fire Chief Shelby Ferguson says 63-year-old David Lenart’s smoking caused numerous explosions from oxygen tanks that set fire to his North Belle Vernon home around 2:45 p.m. Monday.
Ferguson says the fire spread, laying waste to the Hill Street home and an adjacent garage. Additional damage was sustained by a neighbor’s house and nearby office building.
Lenart was airlifted to Allegheny General Hospital, where he was treated for severe burns. Hospital officials said Monday night he is in good condition.
Lenart’s dog, missing for several hours following the blaze, was found with burns on almost half of its body.