REIDSVILLE, N.C. — The Rockingham Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a house exploded in Reidsville Monday evening.
The house was located at 1699 Highway 158 East, Reidsville. Crews were dispatched at 8:39 p.m.
No injuries were reported.
The Yanceyville Road Fire Department arrived on scene to find windows in the highway and debris approximately 100 feet in all directions from the house. The house was completely leveled.
Fire Marshal Robert Cardwell said the house had been vacant, but all utilities were active inside the structure.
During a search of the scene, investigators discovered that the air condition unit was missing from the cement pad on the exterior of the home.
Carwell said the copper piping going to the inside furnace had been severed and removed. Investigators also believe the copper pipe in the basement area was stolen as well.
According to Cardwell, determining the exact cause of the fire will be nearly impossible. But he believes that during the larceny of the copper piping a gas line was cut resulting in the explosion.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation of this fire is asked to contact Rockingham County Crime Stoppers at 336-349-9683.
Some pictures from the scene this morning. An explosion ravaged a Reidsville house just off of highway 158 @myfox8 pic.twitter.com/4oRm2I3JMG
— Zach Wonderlie (@PhotogZach) October 21, 2014
PHOTOS: The aftermath of last night's home explosion in #Reidsville along HWY 158: http://t.co/usQ7SyGxn0 #FOX8 pic.twitter.com/9ofpFDanxe
— Michael Spears (@MichaelKIRO7) October 21, 2014
#Breaking RCFM: Basement copper piping appears to have been stolen, gas line likely cut in process causing explosion. pic.twitter.com/wjlZw8RpiE
— Michael Spears (@MichaelKIRO7) October 21, 2014
#Breaking: Rockingham Co. Fire Marshal: Reidsville home leveled in gas explosion along US Hwy 158 near Kimbro Rd. pic.twitter.com/pV7kjpJd33
— Michael Spears (@MichaelKIRO7) October 21, 2014