Stake for snow fence triggers blast

ALFRED, N.Y. (WIVB) - Investigators have found the cause of an explosion that destroyed part of an apartment building in Alfred.

Officials say a natural gas leak outside the Rose Apartments triggered the blast Sunday night . Apparently, someone installing a snow fence around the building drove a stake through a gas line that was buried 20 inches underground about 20 feet from the building near the gas meter.

PHOTO GALLERY | See images of the damage the explosion caused here

National Fuels says the leaking gas collected underground then traveled into a utility room in the apartment building. Something sparked there, triggering the blast.

Alfred Police Chief Tim O'Grady said, "It is amazing when you look at the damage and the fact there were people in those apartments that no one was killed."

Two people were hurt and hospitalized, but Chief O'Grady says they should survive their injuries. Some residents were allowed to gather their belongings on Tuesday, but no one is allowed to stay in the 40-unit building. As it happened, many students were gone for the weekend when the explosion happened.

Allegany County Director of Emergency Services Jeff Luckey says the building is unsafe, explaining, "One-third of the building is virtually destroyed as far as unstable. The walls are blown out in the lower sections. The one side is blown out and the floors are buckling."

There is no word on who installed the fence or when. Police continue to investigate. National Fuel reminds everyone that before you dig - even if it's just 20 inches - call them first.