An elderly couple named David and Helen Mitchell died in the terrible home explosion that rocked Crescent Township, Pennsylvania, and reverberated for miles.
The astonishing 65th wedding anniversary of the couple, who are 87 and 89 years old, was about to be celebrated.
The explosion, which occurred on Tuesday early, engulfed the Mitchells’ home in flames, leaving a scene of complete devastation. Their daughter, who lived next door, was happily unscathed, but she was shaken as she came from her damaged home with her grandchild in her arms, only to discover that her parents were inside the now-destroyed house.
Local businessman John Bundy described the harrowing scene, recounting how the blast blew out all the windows of the neighbouring house, leaving the daughter bewildered and grief-stricken. The community rallied around her in support during this difficult time.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly, but tragically, both David and Helen Mitchell were pronounced dead within minutes of the explosion. The force of the blast was so immense that it reverberated through the area, with witnesses comparing it to a sonic boom.
Despite the rapid response, the cause of the explosion remains unknown. Investigators recovered propane tanks and a private natural gas well from the debris but have yet to determine what triggered the tragic event.
This incident marks the third fatal gas explosion in the county within the past year, raising concerns about safety and highlighting the need for thorough investigations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
