A VIOLENT NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION literally leveled a house in Charlotte, North Carolina, Thursday night.  The blast killed a 4-month-old infant and left two adults, believed to be the parents, with life-threatening injuries.

Charlotte Observer / O’Brien photo

When Charlotte FD units arrived, the adults were standing amidst the rubble and still coherent enought to tell the rescuers that there was a baby inside.  After a time-consuming search they found the infant, but attempts to resuscitate it were futile.

The only resultant fire was a flame at the orifice of a broken gas pipe which was left to burn until the gas company shut down the mains.

Observer / O’Brien photo

Just 90 minutes before the 7:45 pm explosion, Piedmont Gas workers were called to a house five doors down for an investigation into a smell of gas in the area.  But they were unable to detect any gas and left the neighborhood.

The Charlotte Observer has the latest STORY.

The Associated Press has posted some raw video:

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