BRIDGEPORT, CT (WFSB) -
A home on Merritt Street in Bridgeport was destroyed after a gas explosion and fire Wednesday morning.
One whole side of the house was blown out after a gas leak ignited, according to Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Martin.
"We had live gas and live fire in the basement for a good half hour," he said.
According to Martin, the home is vacant and no one was inside at the time of the explosion. Neighbors said the owner has not been around for more than a month.
When firefighters arrived, the flames were so intense they couldn't shut the gas off. They had to shut the gas off on the street.
"They told me to get home right away because the house next door was on fire and she didn't know what condition my house was in, so I came running home," said Joan DiMatteo of Bridgeport.
Firefighters can't believe the explosion didn't cause damage, and DiMatteo only found broken glass in her driveway.
"I was just a nervous wreck because I have five pets in there and I wanted to make sure they're OK," she said.
The home has been condemned.
"The house is totaled. The building inspector is on scene and he's already said the house will have to be torn down," Martin said. "The foundation is too compromised."
The fire marshal is trying to determine if someone tried to steal copper from inside the home.
One neighbor told Eyewitness News that they smelled gas Wednesday morning before the explosion. However, no one was seen at the home.
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