AMERICAN FORK, Utah – A tragic explosion at a duplex in American Fork early Wednesday morning resulted in one woman losing her life and another being sent to the hospital for treatment. Dominion Energy, the local utility company, has issued a statement regarding the incident, expressing their cooperation with investigators to determine the cause of the explosion.
According to American Fork Battalion Chief Brandon Boshard, the explosion occurred in the vicinity of 100 North and 300 East just before 6 a.m. Emergency response teams arrived at the scene to find debris scattered about and a fire in progress, which has since been extinguished. The aftermath revealed significant damage to the duplex.
On one side of the duplex, a woman lost her life due to the explosion, while a woman residing on the other side survived and was hospitalized for precautionary measures. Remarkably, a dog that was initially reported missing during the chaos managed to survive and emerged unharmed while emergency crews were present.
Fire officials are currently investigating the cause of the explosion, with assistance from Dominion Energy personnel who were conducting routine maintenance in the area, including at the location of the incident, the day before. The utility company has emphasized their dedication to ensuring public safety and the integrity of their natural gas system, asserting their commitment to the ongoing investigation.
As authorities work diligently to gather information for the investigation, residents and the community at large are left shaken by the unexpected tragedy. The close-knit city of American Fork now grapples with the aftermath of the explosion, mourning the loss of one life and rallying around those affected by the incident.