Norman — An explosion that leveled a home near Blanchard and injured three people Sunday morning have may been the result of a gas leak, investigators with the McClain County Sheriff’s Department said.
McClain County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Dan Huff said the blast occurred about 8 a.m. at 28755 S. Meredian Ave. The eruption rocked Blanchard residents and was heard as far north as central Norman.
“It was a huge blast,” Huff said.
He said Richard Hoff, 68, his daughter, Tanya Sumner, 25, and granddaughter Bella Sumner, 2, were inside the house at the time of the explosion. A neighbor who wished to remain unidentified rushed to the scene a few minutes later.
“A neighbor was fishing in a nearby pond,” Huff said. “When the blast occurred, she ran there. She helped the woman and rescued the child from the home.”
Huff said all three victims were airlifted to Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City with burns and lacerations.
“The two adults were put in ICU for burns,” he said.
Huff said Bella Sumner later was transported to a burn facility at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Her condition was not available.
Brooke Cayot, Integris Baptist Medical Center spokesperson, said Hoff was listed in critical condition Monday. Tonya Sumner was upgraded to serious condition from critical.
Huff said investigators are continuing their investigation into the explosion.
“We’ve looked into and examined it,” Huff said. “We’re looking at the possibility it was a liquefied gas leak but that hasn’t been confirmed. We’re investigating that possibility.”
Huff described the house as an older home.
“It’s in the unincorporated area which is McClain County and has a Blanchard address,” Huff said.
He said McClain County sheriff’s deputies, Blanchard police along with firefighters from Cole, Blanchard and Newcastle fire departments responded to the scene Sunday.
Several neighboring houses sustained broken windows, Huff said. The force from the blast scattered debris 100 feet.
Norman Police Master Officer Jennifer Newell said dispatchers received several calls Sunday morning about the explosion. No damage was reported in Norman.
Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com
