3 Pets Killed In Prince William County Home Explosion, Homeowner Says: Report

HAYMARKET, VA — Two cats and a dog were killed Tuesday when a Prince William County house exploded following a reported gas leak, according to authorities and a report.

Prince William County Fire and Rescue had initially responded to a report of a gas leak around 4:17 p.m. in the 5900 block of Coby Hunt Court in Haymarket. Around 5:36 p.m., the fire department said the home had exploded.

Emergency responders evacuated the home before the explosion, authorities said.

In an interview with WTOP, homeowner Jarrett Struniak said he and his family were outside the home for about 20 minutes when their neighbors were also evacuated. He confirmed three pets died in the blaze.

“Once … I heard the bang, everything else just kind of went quiet after that. … It’s crazy how surreal and silent things go when you’re watching everything go up in flames," he told WTOP. “I lost a 10-year best friend and 4-year-old cat that was very much part of our family."

Struniak was among four adults and two children who lived in the home. The two families were not related, authorities said.

No other injuries were reported.

Fire officials said they believe an underground contractor had struck a natural gas line, but it remains unclear what caused the explosion.

Units remained on the scene to complete the response to the explosion. The gas company was at the site to shut down the leak.

Authorities said homes in the immediate vicinity were reoccupied as their electric service was restored. Eight homes were expected to have natural gas service interrupted for two days. Several vehicles were damaged by debris from the explosion, authorities said.

The home explosion marked the second in Virginia this year. In February, a firefighter died and 13 others were injured after a leaking propane tank led to an explosion at a home in Sterling.