76-year-old Albemarle woman dead after devastating house explosion
VENN
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A 76-year-old woman is dead and a man is still hospitalized after a gas explosion leveled a home in Albemarle County.
At about 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19, crews with Albemarle County Fire Rescue were called to the 2300 block of Ferndown Lane in the Keswick area after receiving multiple calls about a possible explosion.
When they arrived, crews found the remains of a home that had been "completely leveled to the ground" by what fire officials believe to be a gas explosion.
A woman was found dead at the scene and a man was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.
Aug. 19 house explosion on Ferndown Lane in Albemarle County. (Photo: James Sizemore)
Aug. 19 house explosion on Ferndown Lane in Albemarle County. Photo: James Sizemore)
Aug. 19 house explosion on Ferndown Lane in Albemarle County. (Photo: James Sizemore)
Aug. 19 house explosion on Ferndown Lane in Albemarle County. (Photo: James Sizemore)
On Friday, Aug. 22, fire officials identified the woman as 76-year-old Justine M. Joscelyne of Keswick. The man, who has not been identified, remains in the hospital in stable condition as of the time of reporting.
Neighbors previously told 8News that these two are not the homeowners. Instead, they had reportedly entered the home to investigate a possible gas smell.
Fire officials confirmed that the homeowners were not in the area at the time of the explosion.
The impact of and debris from the explosion damaged at least 12 homes, with 8News witnessing shattered windows and lawns filled with debris. The American Red Cross is assisting those who were displaced by that damage.
Debris scattered across neighboring homes after an Aug. 19 home explosion in Albemarle County. (Photo: Deniel Dookan, 8News)
Debris scattered across neighboring homes after an Aug. 19 home explosion in Albemarle County. (Photo: Deniel Dookan, 8News)
Debris scattered across neighboring homes after an Aug. 19 home explosion in Albemarle County. (Photo: Deniel Dookan, 8News)
In the days since the initial explosion, fire officials said Albemarle crews have assessed more than 200 homes in the area.
"While the preliminary investigation has been completed, the Albemarle County Fire Marshal’s Office is continuing to review and analyze additional data related to the explosion," fire officials said on Friday. "Following that assessment, further information may be released to the public as appropriate."
With said investigation finished, those in the area of this devastating explosion will no longer see an elevated emergency presence in the area.
No additional details are available as of the time of reporting.
If you smell gas, fire officials urge you to call 911 immediately.
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
