Last Updated on July 28, 2016 5:34 pm
Fire crews from Bethel and Cove Creek in Watauga County, and Fall Creek in Avery County, were dispatched just before 3:30pm to a structure fire in the area of 3949 Peoria Road in the Sugar Grove community.
Dispatchers with Avery County relayed to Watauga that a propane explosion had occurred and leveled the structure, according to scanner dispatches at the time. Witnesses on the scene also told the Watauga County Sheriff Department that there was an explosion. No Watauga responders on the scene witnessed an explosion, according to Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman.
WataugaOnline.com has learn that a large tank of kerosene aided the fire and several propane cylinders caused the explosion, according to Taylor Marsh with the Watauga County Fire Marshal's office. Marsh says that no one was home at the time of the fire and two dogs escaped unharmed. The fire is still under investigation.
7:16pm – Fire departments with Bethel and Cove Creek have cleared the scene. Fall Creek in Avery County also assisted. There appear to be no injuries involved with the fire. The renter of the home showed up on the scene was interviewed by fire officials, according to Sheriff Hagaman
5:25pm Thursday July 28 – Units with multiple fire departments are still on the scene of a structure fire in the 3900 block of Peoria Road. Witnesses on the scene have told a Watauga County Sheriff's Captain that there may have been an explosion. No responders on the scene witnessed an explosion, says Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman, but it is possible there was one.
The story is still developing and will be updated as more information is available
Photos: Captain Kelly Redmon – Watauga County Sheriff's Office
