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Gas blast rips home apart killing two
young sisters
Thur Jul 25, 2002
The Hamilton Spectator
Two young sisters died early yesterday in an explosion that blew the roof
off
their apartment house.
A buildup of natural gas is believed to be the cause. Ten people in the
three-storey building escaped, authorities said.
"There is a clear indication from residents and firefighters that
there was a
buildup and release of gas," state Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said.
The cause remained under investigation.
Iris Carey, 4, was pulled by firefighters from the wreckage. She was in
cardiac arrest and died on the way to Milford-Whitinsville Regional
Hospital,
according to authorities. Her sister Violet, 5, was pulled from the rubble
nearly five hours after the blast.
"They were the most awesome little girls ... All they wanted to do
was bake
cookies with me, and cupcakes," said Cindy Germain, the girls'
grandmother.
Four residents of the building in suburban Boston were injured. Coan said
he
was told the injuries were not serious.
Among them were the girls' parents, Tara and Heath Carey. They were
treated
and released at Milford-Whitinsville.
Fire Lieutenant Stephen Slaman said he received a call from a woman who
heard
rumbling in the basement and smelled gas.
Slaman had just hung up the phone and was sounding an alarm when he heard
"what sounded like the closest lightning strike you ever heard."
The fire station is just two houses away.
Gas workers had to dig up the street to shut off
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