Space heater may have caused home explosion | News

MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP/WZZM) -- Authorities say a house explosion in Muskegon County was likely caused by a natural gas space heater.

The blast about 4 a.m. Monday leveled the one-story home on Woodward Street in Muskegon Township, injuring a 44-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman. Officials say both suffered burns and the man was taken by helicopter to Grand Rapids hospitals.

Timothy Beattie was in critical condition Monday afternoon and Bridgett Polk was in serious condition.

Muskegon Township Fire Chief David Glotzbach says the homeowners had taken out a permit in February for installation of the heater, but the final inspection had not yet taken place.

Investigators tell WZZM Polk woke up and heard a hissing noise. She tried to shut off the gas valve, but it didn't stop the hissing, so she unplugged the unit. Glotzbach thinks that pulling the cord out of the wall socket may have caused a spark that caused the gas that had collected in the small room to explode.

Neighbor Terry Luce says the explosion shook his house and knocked him out of bed. Neighbors helped the injured Beattie and Polk before rescuers arrived.