Faulty Water Heater Install Caused Deadly Hopkins House Explosion
Hopkins, MN (KROC-AM News) - Investigators have determined that a deadly house explosion in the Twin Cities last month was caused by a natural gas leak stemming from a faulty water heater replacement.
A news release from the Hopkins Police Department says the investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal and the Hopkins Fire Department determined that the gas line to the home's water heater was not reattached after a new water heater was recently installed. The resulting leak eventually ignited and produced an explosion that completely destroyed the house. The exact ignition source could not be determined.
The two people living in the home were killed by the explosion and fire on July 27. According to Hopkins Police, authorities have not released the victims' names, but family members have publicly identified them as Herb and Sharon Vasser.