Home explosion claims girl's life

WILSON, N.Y. (WIVB) - A home explosion in Wilson claimed the life of a 14-year-old girl Tuesday morning.

Five people were inside the home at the time of the explosion, at approximately 6:08 a.m. When crews were on the scene, they found the body of Sarah Johnson, who died from her injuries. Authorities weren't sure of her age but believe she was between 12 and 14.

Four other family members were found outside of the home, and were taken to area hospitals.

Jody Johnson, 44, and Judith Johnson, 46, are both in stable condition at ECMC. Officials say Katie Johnson, 19, is in critical condition at ECMC and Nathan Johnson, 16, is being transferred to ECMC from another hospital, late Tuesday morning.

>> Full Coverage: See photos of the explosion, the victims, and the vigil. Listen to audio of crews learning of the devastation. Read stories about the community coming together for the Johnson family.

Two family members were not home at the time of the explosion.

News 4 has a gallery of pictures from the explosion scene where close to 100 emergency personnel were on the scene of the explosion, that leveled the home.

Officials do not know what caused the explosion. The home was heated by propane, rather than natural gas.

Neighbors say they felt their house shake, and went outside to see a ball of flames and thick black smoke. Area residents miles away say they heard the explosion, and people report feeling it as far as a mile away.

Niagara County Undersheriff Michael Filicetti says there were reports of a rumble felt miles away in Lockport. He also says neighboring homes had pictures falling off the walls from the blast.

The Associated Press reports that the blast sent debris across the rural area. According to AP, "Yellow wall insulation and a soccer poster could be seen on neighboring lawns. A basketball backboard and hoop mounted on a black pole stood out against the pile of smoldering rubble where the house stood."