Westminster Explosion: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Two people were injured after an explosion leveled one house and damaged several others on Thursday in a Denver suburb. Here’s what you need to know.

1. The Explosion Happened in Westminster

The explosion happened around 11:35 a.m. at a house on the 9300 block of Ingalls St. in the Westminster suburb of Denver, Colorado, reports the Denver Post. After the explosion, several nearby blocks were evacuated as a safety precaution.

---

2. The Cause of the Blast is Suspected to be a Natural Gas Leak

“The suspected cause of the explosion is a gas leak,” said Diana Wilson, a Westminster Fire Department spokeswoman.

Early in the morning prior to the blast, Monique Gallegos, who lives in one of the nearby houses affected by the explosion, said she smelled gas, like”rotten eggs.” Several other neighbors reported smelling gas as well.

3. Two People Were Injured

PHOTOS: Explosion levels Wesminster homes; 2 people injured http://t.co/5VnN4retlU by @ACrossPhoto

— The Denver Post (@denverpost) June 14, 2013

Fortunately there were no fatalities from the explosion, but two people were reported to have been injured, including a police officer who stepped on a piece of glass from the debris. The other was an Xcel Energy worker who was out on an unrelated call.

4. A House Was Leveled

One house was leveled and at least seven or eight more houses were damaged in the explosion. The cul-de-sac where the explosion happened looked like a war zone Thursday afternoon.

“I thought a plane had crashed, or it was a bomb, a terrorist,” Gallegos recalled.

---

5. Dozens of Firefighters Responded to the Scene

Between 50 and 75 firefighters and emergency officials responded to the scene. The emergency crew is searching through the debris of the house at ground zero. Three people occupied the home at the blast and were missing at first, but were later found accounted for.