Authorities say natural gas leaking from an appliance caused an accidental explosion that blew off the top two floors of a Haddon Heights apartment building and left two women hospitalized.

Home explosion in Haddon Heights
Home explosion in Haddon Heights (PhillyFireNews.com via YouTube)
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Camden County Fire Marshal Paul Sandrock says the leak occurred Saturday afternoon in a second-floor unit in the Haddon Heights building, but didn't specify the appliance. Gas accumulated on the third floor, and the explosion and subsequent fire occurred when the second-floor tenant started her stove.

Authorities say the woman suffered critical burns, while another woman was treated for minor injuries.

Witnesses who live nearby said the blast shook their homes and the fire quickly destroyed the building. The building remained cordoned off Sunday as crews worked to clear the site and investigators continued to sort through the rubble.

 

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)

 

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