CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Officials say they are confident that everyone has been located following a home explosion that obliterated a Ballantyne home Tuesday.
- Two people have been located: one is deceased, the other has life-threatening injuries
- Five properties in the area have debris from the explosion
- This is an ongoing investigation
The Charlotte Fire Department says a woman was found deceased at around 9 p.m. in the rubble. They say it was a "difficult process" to find her. It's believed that she could have been in the downstairs area of the home. The woman has been identified as Rania Karam.
A man identified as her husband, Jebran Karam, was airlifted earlier in the afternoon hours and is being treated for life-threatening injuries. We’re told he is conscious and was able to contact 911 while in the debris.
The blast damaged some nearby houses and injured two others. Officials say debris scattered across five properties near the home. Gayla Jackson, a homeowner in the area, says she heard a "loud boom" that was so powerful that it threw her pictures across the room. Another neighbor says it felt like an earthquake.
More than 80 firefighters were actively working in the high temperatures. Seven firefighters were given IVs and returned to duty. One was transported to a nearby hospital for dehydration.
They say it will take "some time" to determine a cause. Neighbors have told Spectrum News that they have received letters notifying them that Piedmont Natural Gas would be servicing meters.
The company issues a statement saying:
Our technicians tested and checked the Piedmont natural gas lines in the area, and no natural gas leaks on our lines were detected. We've determined the Piedmont natural gas pipelines in this area are operating safely.
