Two dead after Port Orchard house explodes
Feb 23, 2016, 11:45 AM | Updated: 1:15 pm
A home reportedly exploded in Kitsap County Tuesday morning. (Joanna Small/KIRO 7)
(Joanna Small/KIRO 7)
Two people were killed in an explosion that leveled a Port Orchard mobile home Tuesday morning.
The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the fatalities after rescue crews spent hours at the site.
Neighbors confirmed with KIRO 7 that the homeowners are Maria and William McDonald.
Neighbors confirm this is Maria & William McDonald, homeowners unaccounted for after explosion. @KIRO7Seattle at 12. pic.twitter.com/lfRoL0hqFe
— Joanna Small (@JoannaKIRO7) February 23, 2016
Deputy Scott Wilson would not speculate on the cause of the explosion. However, sheriff’s detectives requested assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation.
SK Fire still searching for victims. More details as we get them. pic.twitter.com/VDifencoSo
— Kitsap Sheriff (@KitsapCoSheriff) February 23, 2016
The explosion occurred off of Ramiller Road near Port Orchard shortly after 4 a.m., according to the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office.
KIRO 7 reports a Kitsap County resident said the blast could be felt on Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton. Officers began searching for the source until they realized it did not occur on the base.
“There was a huge explosion at 4:09 a.m. that shook homes, woke residents in the Olalla-Gig Harbor area early this morning,” Anne Wolfe Ehrhardt told KIRO 7.
KIRO 7 reports the explosion was powerful enough to shatter the windows of a nearby elementary school. Despite the explosion, Mullenix Ridge Elementary will still be open today, the Kitsap Sun reports.
RAW VIDEO: Chopper 7 is over the scene of an early morning home explosion near Port Orchard. Part of the home landed 80 feet up a tree. Slideshow: http://kiro.tv/ExplosionPhotos
Posted by KIRO 7 News on Tuesday, February 23, 2016
