Natural Gas Explosion in North Seattle Felt in Shoreline, LFP

A North Seattle couple suffered burns and other injuries after a natural gas explosion burned and destroyed their home this morning.

The blast at the home at 12327, Fifth Ave. N.E. which occurred a little after 6 a.m. could be felt blocks away in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. 

The Seattle-PI is reporting that the injured man told fire investigators that he smelled gas Sunday night but did not report it. The gas likely caught fire when the couple woke up Monday and turned on lights and appliances.

The couple, a man and woman, are at Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries; about a dozen homes around the perimeter were evacuated as a precaution, the P-I reported.

Puget Sound Energy is the natural gas provider in the area. A leak was repaired on Sunday but that may not be related to today's explosion.

PSE posted the following item on its Web site:

• The Seattle Fire Department reported that one of the residents in the home that exploded this morning smelled natural gas Sunday, but did not report it.