Cause of House Explosion Sought

Vermont fire officials are trying to determine what caused an explosion that heavily damaged a Townshend, Vermont home, with parts of the house found over 200 feet away.

No one was home during the blast, reported about 3 a.m. Wednesday. Fire officials arrived to find the house off its foundation. They said the owner, identified as Carlton Smith, had been experiencing the smell of propane over the past several weeks.

Officials suspect a problem with a gas line. They do not consider the explosion suspicious.

Firefighter said the home is considered to be a total loss. A neighboring building, West Village Family Dental, also was damaged in the explosion. A structural analysis will be done before the office is reopened.

Copyright 2012 the Associated Press.