The statement released Friday said MG&E didn’t receive any calls regarding a gas leak before the house exploded Thursday at 5573Cheryl Drive, injuring a 57-year-old man inside.
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“This is a significant explosion”, said Fitchburg fire chief Joe Pulvermacher.
Photos and videos from the scene show the remnants of a large explosion, with debris scattered along Cheryl Drive on both sides of Fish Hatchery. Police are asking people to stay away from Fish Hatchery Road, especially near Lacy and McKee. The road was closed overnight, but lanes reopened early Friday morning. The portion closed is from Florann Drive to Research Park Drive.
The cause of the explosion was not known, but Pulvermacher said gas was still leaking at the scene for hours after the explosion. Chief Pulvermacher says four homes did not have gas or electricity after the blast. Firefighters say they smelled natural gas as they arrived at the scene.
“We’re just sitting here just having some drinks and some appetizers”.
People seated on the crowded patio ran into the restaurant, she said, then came back outside to see what had happened. “I looked straight ahead of me and the house exploded into pieces”.
Six buildings remain uninhabitable, including two duplexes, Shelton said, though residents of one of the duplexes and one of the homes were allowed access to retrieve belongings.
Wagner went inside the restaurant, then went back out to help customers when she said she saw a second explosion.
Nichols said her son loves video games and computers and had been saving up to buy a Tesla electric auto. And just all of a sudden we hear a loud boom. The Red Cross says it has been asked to meet with three families for assistance. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are assisting the families.
A mass casualty box alarm was called, which brought multiple fire, EMS and police units from Fitchburg, Verona and Madison.
The Fitchburg police and fire departments are being assisted in the investigation by the State Fire Marshal, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.
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The debris field from the explosion was expansive.
