(La Porte, IN) - The holidays were dampened for one La Porte family whose house exploded just before Christmas.

 

At about 2:20 Friday afternoon La Porte firefighters were dispatched to 235 Darlington St. on La Porte’s northeast side. That’s across the street from Aero Metals.

 

According to Fire Chief Andy Snyder, the homeowner had just cut off the top of a large propane tank, with about five gallons of liquid propane left in it. Somehow the propane, or at least its fumes, seeped into the basement, where likely a pilot light ignited.

 

Snyder said the homeowner and his father were fortunate to have been outside doing some work when it happened. “There was basically an explosion in the house that blew out most every window,” said Snyder. “Pretty much fire was throughout the house at that time. Our personnel arrived on scene within two minutes, but the house was pretty well involved in fire by that time.”

 

Firefighters spent at least 45 minutes fighting the blaze, and then a couple of hours knocking down hot spots. According to Snyder, the house became unsafe too quickly to attempt saving from inside.

 

No humans were injured, but two cats perished in the blaze.