CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
An investigation is underway to determine what caused a residential natural gas explosion on the 4300 block of Gertie Drive Monday afternoon.
It happened around 3 p.m. Nearby neighborhoods were closed off as crews secured the scene. One person living in the home suffered serious burns.
"We thought it was a transformer or something," said Iris Benavidez, who witnessed the aftermath. "Heard a lot of sirens. Had no idea, just hoped everyone was okay."
Police said the 63-year old woman living in the home lit a cigarette, and that is what caused the explosion. She was taken to the hospital with burns to her face, and has since been transported to a burn unit in San Antonio.
Firefighters believe she had a gas leak in her home, but at this point they don't know where the leak was.
The blast was heard as far as two miles away. It even rattled the windows of nearby homes and businesses.
"It sounded like a sonic boom, an explosion," said Scott Graves. "It rattled my office and chair. Something fell on the roof. We walked around and realized it was the house exploded behind us."
The blast did start a small fire, but flames were out by the time crews arrived. The house itself was severely damaged, the roof and walls basically caved in.
