WEDDINGTON, N.C. — Several fire departments rushed to a home on Steeple Chase Circle in Weddington on Sunday morning in response to reports of a home explosion and house fire, according to the Charlotte Fire Department.
The Union County Sheriff's Office said the explosion just before 9 a.m. was felt countywide.
“We actually had deputies here at the sheriff’s office … that heard and felt the explosion at the time it happened and that was on the other side of Union County," Lt. James Maye, with the Union County Sheriff's Office, said.
Deputies say an elderly couple was inside the home at the time of the explosion. One man was flown to Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in critical condition, and a woman who was in the home was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Deputies say the blast appeared to have started in the garage which was left in pieces.
"This is an isolated incident which has been contained," the sheriff's office said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected individuals as they receive emergency medical care."
Ted Castano lives in the house next door and said the explosion reminded him of his time serving in Iraq, as his windows blew out and he and his family were forced to take cover.
“The blast came into our house. It felt like it lifted the house up some and set it back down," Castano said. "I was in the den. My son was in the bathroom. He was, fortunately, kind of, protected by the bathroom.... I spent a year and Iraq and have been in an [Improvised Explosive Device] blast before. It felt kind of similar.”
As cleanup continues, the Castanos say they're thankful to be okay and just thinking of their neighbors recovering.
“We just hope the folks are okay. We love them. They’re our neighbors," Castano said. "We’re more concerned about them than anything. All this can be repaired. We’re just concerned that they recover okay from this.”
The Charlotte Fire Department helped fire departments in Union County to tackle the fire, which they were able to get under control.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the Union County Fire Marshal’s Office, the Union County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
“It does not appear to be anything criminal at this time. We believe this is an accidental incident with all the evidence we have now," Lt. Maye said.
Union County officials discussed the explosion in a press briefing on Sunday.
Several other agencies responded including Wesley Chapel Fire Department, Charlotte Fire Department, and Union EMS.
Contact Richard DeVayne at rdevayne@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
