North Carolina
‘Fully engulfed in flames’: Investigation underway after Leicester home explodes
LEICESTER, N.C. (WLOS) — Neighbors near Moonrise Ridge in Leicester are reacting after a house explosion shook their homes in the early morning on Friday, March 13.
“I stepped outside and saw smoke and an orange glow from the neighbor’s house,” said neighbor Ryan Dailey. “By the time I got across the hill, the house was completely leveled and fully engulfed in flames.”
The Leicester Volunteer Fire Department responded after receiving a call about a possible house fire at a home off Gibbs Road, Fire Chief Gary Moore said.
“It was below freezing this morning,” Moore said. “And in our area, we have no fire hydrants, so we had to shuttle water in. It’s a narrow, one-lane road down to the house.”
HOUSE EXPLOSION REPORTED IN LEICESTER; NO ONE INJURED IN BLAST
Authorities confirmed the home was destroyed. Dispatch calls were for a propane tank explosion, but Moore said the cause of the blast is still under investigation. Fire crews spent hours extinguishing hot spots while the Buncombe County fire marshal continues investigating.
Jeff Williams, a home restoration expert with an emergency response company, monitors fire dispatch notes that come through an app for licensed response firms. He said initial information indicated a propane tank explosion that ignited the home. He showed News 13 the note that went out.
“This one was actually a propane tank [that] exploded and burst in the home,” said Williams.
Williams said propane systems require routine inspections.
MARCH HISTORICALLY WINDIEST MONTH IN ASHEVILLE, WITH WINDS DYING DOWN IN LATE SPRING
Another neighbor, Josh Lockhart, uses propane to heat his home. He said he’s aware there can be risks, but he said there are checks and balances. Fire officials recommend having heating systems inspected regularly by a certified propane or gas company.
“We have monitors to let us know if there’s carbon monoxide or if it has a smell to it as well,” he said. “And I assume that if they were here, and I don’t want to make assumptions, if they were here, they probably would have smelled it, if there was a leak, because it does have a very noticeable smell.”
Lockhart said a retired couple owns the home.
“I feel horrible for them with the fact that they’re going to have to come home to this,” he said.
The investigation into the explosion remains ongoing.
Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Fire crews are responding to a brush fire near Howard Gap Road in Hendersonville on Friday evening.
The fire is across the street from the Ebenezer Baptist Church and near the Highlands Square Shopping Center.
Henderson County Fire Marshal Glen Gillette said crews are fighting “blowdown from Helene.”
NEW WILDFIRES IGNITE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FOREST AMID WORSENING DROUGHT
Around 11 p.m., the fire appears larger than it did an hour ago because crews are backburning, which refers to using fire to help control the wildfire.
Dana Fire Department Chief Jimmy Womack said that what was a 3-acre fire an hour ago will be an 8-acre fire due to back burning. He said the fire is 80% contained.
Womack said the cause of the fire is unknown, but one of the conditions contributing to the blaze is the Helene blowdown.
“There’s a lot of blowdown in these woods behind us. That’s what creates most of the problem,” said Womack.
Womack said there has been no property damage and no injuries have been reported for this fire in the woods that 24 personnel are fighting. They got the call to arrive at 6:05 p.m.
LOCAL NEWS
Dana Fire and Rescue and Henderson County Fire Department are supporting the U.S. Forest Service with this fire.
Glen said no structures are threatened at this time and Howard Gap Road is closed.
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This story will be updated as new information is discovered.
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