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Home blows up, two sisters killed
HOPKINTON (AP) -- Two young sisters are dead after an early morning
explosion, believed to be caused by natural gas, blew the roof off their
multifamily home, authorities said.
Iris Carey, 4, and Violet Carey, 5, were killed in the explosion, which
occurred about 1:40 a.m. today at the three-story building on Main Street
near Route 85, Hopkinton Fire Chief Gary Daugherty said.
Twelve other people living at the house escaped, including a woman who is
nine months pregnant, state Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said.
"There is a clear indication from residents and firefighters that
there was buildup and release of gas," Coan said. But he cautioned that
the investigation is still in the early stages and that a cause has not yet
been determined.
Iris was pulled by firefighters from the wreckage. She was in cardiac
arrest and died on the way to Milford Hospital, according to authorities.
Violet was pulled from the rubble nearly five hours after the blast. Coan
said firefighters found her soon after arriving and determined she had died,
but were unable to extricate her due to the condition of the building and
the continuing gas leak.
"They were the most awesome little girls ... all they wanted to do
was bake cookies with me, and cupcakes," Cindy Germain, the girls'
grandmother, told New England Cable News.
Four other residents of the building reportedly were injured. Coan said
he was told the injuries were not serious.
Daugherty said residents of the building called the fire department when
they smelled what they thought was gas. An explosion was heard by fire
officials who were on the way to the house to investigate the odor. The fire
station is two houses from the scene.
NStar spokesman Mike Monahan said the utility had not yet determined the
cause of the blast.
Monahan said NStar had to dig up the street to shut off the gas after the
explosion because debris prevented access to the main valve.
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