Explosion in Front Royal, VA

[Dan T.]

A huge explosion in Front Royal, Virginia shook things for miles around this morning. At least two were killed and three buildings were destroyed. A guy 8 miles away heard AND felt the blast. They're not sure yet what caused it. Early reports said a diesel truck blew, but uncomfirmed.

Any Extremeskins out that way?

[Mad Mike]

Updates?

Nothing on National news yet.

[@DCGoldPants]

Accidents and Fires Cause Commuter Nightmares

Updated: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004 - 8:52 AM

WASHINGTON - Commuters found themselves really stuck in traffic Thursday morning after an unusual series of problems across the WTOP listening area.

In Fairfax County, a pileup on the Dulles Toll Road involved 16 vehicles.

In Montgomery County, a pedestrian was struck.

In Prince George's County, there was a fire at a gas station.

And in Warren County, an explosion killed two people as it blew up two homes.

The 16-vehicle accident on the Dulles Toll Road eastbound after Hunter Mill Road backed up traffic for miles at the height of the morning rush, forcing commuters to take alternate routes.

It took until 8:30 a.m. to open three lanes of the Dulles Toll Road.

WTOP's Kristi King reports from the scene that seven people were injured. Four people have been taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue says.

To avoid getting in backup, anyone can get on to the Dulles Access Road eastbound. Drivers won't be able to get off the road until after the Main Toll Plaza, at which point they can access the Beltway, I-66 or Route 123.

In Montgomery County, Connecticut Avenue at East-West Highway had to be closed for an investigation after a pedestrian was struck. The accident came a day after county officials unveiled a new campaign to reduce the number of accidents involving pedestrians.

In Prince George's County, around 7 a.m., a pickup truck backed into a gas pump at the Shell Station on Riggs Road, a block off University Boulevard. The truck drove off, but the pump caught fire.

Riggs Road had to be shut down, but has since reopened.

Prince George's County Fire Spokesman Mark Brady tells WTOP that safeguards built into the pump's foundation kept the fire from spreading, and firefighters were able to cover the area with foam and put the fire out quickly.

Police are looking for the driver of that turquoise-blue pickup truck.

And, in Warren County near Front Royal, Va., the main road - U.S. 522 - was shut down after an explosion destroyed two homes Thursday.

Virginia State Police say Route 522 had to be closed in both directions at Interstate 66 and Reliance Road in Warren County just after 6 a.m. One lane in each direction reopened just before 8 a.m.

One mobile home was destroyed and a house beside the trailer had considerable damage in the explosion near the intersection of U.S. Route 522 and Interstate 66.

Channel 7 reports two people died in the explosion.

A Front Royal fire department official tells WTOP the explosion is believed to have involved some type of propane gas.

The sheriff's department in Warren County, Va., tells WTOP that fielded dozens of calls when people heard the explosion.

A number of area residents reported hearing the blast from as far away as Middletown and Clarke County.

(Copyright 2004 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[Dan T.]

Nothing new. Early speculation on cause are diesel truck, which one eyewitness was reported to have seen, a propane tank or natural gas pipeline that runs through the area. No terrorist connection raised.

[RedskinsNation]

Its ARMEGEDDON!!!!!!

[Mad Mike]

"No terrorist connection raised."

Thanks. That's what I wanted to know. How often do you hear about a diesel truck exploding? Just seemed odd.

[Dan T.]

My initial reaction too, Mike, when hearing the news. An early eyewintess mentioned the diesel truck, but the sheriff made clear it was not yet confirmed.

[fuji869]

Kind of hits close to home, I graduated from Randolph- Macon Academy on Front Royal. Hope everyone is safe.

[Sarge]

FRONT ROYAL — An elderly Warren County couple were killed on Thursday morning when a massive explosion demolished their trailer home.

The blast left little more than scorched earth and a 500-foot debris field. Officials have not determined its cause.

Fire and rescue workers examine a large section of debris hanging in a tree, following the massive explosion in the mobile home on Thursday morning.

Leonard and Dorothy Donovan were in their home when it exploded at 6:08 a.m., according to relatives. The residence is at 139 Emerald Lane off U.S. 522, less than a mile from the Front Royal town limits.

A Warren County firefighter and a neighbor also suffered minor injuries from the blast and fire.

Investigators are working to determine the source of the explosion, reportedly felt about a mile away, said Warren County Fire Chief Richard Mabie.

He didn’t expect to announce the cause of the blast until the debris field had been searched, but noted that pressurized tanks, such as those containing propane or oxygen, could have been involved.

Family members said oxygen was in use at the home and a propane tank was adjacent to the trailer.

After the initial explosion, several other blasts occurred, Mabie said. “We don’t know a whole lot about it. Basically, this trailer was obliterated.”

About 20 people living in six to eight homes were affected by the explosion, he said. The Red Cross was offering shelter to the displaced families.

The preliminary investigation has found no evidence indicating the explosion was deliberate, Warren County Sheriff Daniel McEathron said.

“There’s no reason to believe terrorism is involved,” Mabie said.

Fire and rescue units arriving on the scene found the trailer fully engulfed, he said, adding that the fire was under control in about 20 minutes.

The Donovans’ son, Richard, who lives nearby, was able to pull Dorothy Donovan, 77, from the fire, but couldn’t go back into the trailer because of the second round of explosions, said neighbor Delores Garber.

One of the victims was alive when a Warren County deputy arrived at the site, Mabie said. The deputy administered cardiac assistance, but the victim died, he said.

The explosion’s concussion also damaged four nearby homes. The county building inspector will probably condemn one because the damage is so extensive, Mabie said.

The severity of the blast was evident throughout the neighborhood — sections of insulation, shredded metal, wood pieces, and scraps of paper littered yards and homes.

A firefighter and an officer check the heavily littered area around the blast site.

“There’s things in the trees,” McEathron said.

The explosion jolted Delores Garber from bed.

“I was asleep and I heard the boom,” she said. “I heard it. That was it.”

By the time she ran outside, the trailer was gone, Garber said.

She and her son, Ricky, who is married to the Donovans’ granddaughter, Missy, collected personal items and pets from her home within the cordoned-off blast area on Thursday morning.

The Donovans moved to Emerald Lane last spring, Garber said. She described them as friendly people who would do anything for others.

Dorothy Donovan had recently returned from a hospital stay and was using oxygen, Garber said.

Her hip had been replaced and she was beginning to walk again, Garber said.

Investigating the incident are the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Explosives, and Virginia State Police.