MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — A possible gas leak is suspected to have caused an explosion that destroyed a Mount Vernon duplex Monday.
Two people that were inside the home survived. One was taken to Harborview Medical Center with burns on 6% of his body.
Daniel Darsch was asleep at home when the explosion happened. His first thought was a violent storm was occurring.
"I was asleep and then, boom, I woke up."
Darsch ran outside where he saw two people, one who was crying and another who appeared to be "freaking out."
Assistant Mount Vernon Fire Chief Bryan Harris said 911 calls began coming in around 6 a.m. The building was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
The explosion blew out windows and caused damage to nearby homes, according to Harris.
Darsch says his house shook, causing items to fall off walls and shelves.
Harris says the two people are lucky to be alive.
There's "no reason" to believe the explosion was suspicious, according to Harris.
Mount Vernon High School is closed Monday due to the fire.
A fire at North 8th Street and East Fulton Street created “hazardous and unpredictable conditions” at the school, according a Facebook post from the Mount Vernon School District. The high school is about one block away from where the fire broke out.
Students may be picked up, and the district says it is working on transportation home for students who need it.