Pennsylvania Copper Thieves Caused Gas Explosion at Home

A state police fire marshal believes thieves intentionally caused a natural gas explosion after stealing a copper natural gas line and other copper utility lines from a vacant home in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Copper thefts are common because the metal is easily sold for scrap. Trooper Russell Freed, a fire marshal out of the Belle Vernon barracks, says someone cut copper lines out of the home in Redstone Township on Saturday.

That caused a gas leak and it appears the thieves then ignited the gas in a way that authorities are not revealing.

Troopers arrived to find the gas still leaking and evidence of an explosion which blew out windows, doors and other household items into yards nearby.

Police haven’t named or arrested any suspects.