Suspected gas leak causes $70,000 worth of damage

KENOSHA (WITI) -- A day after an explosion inside a vacant Kenosha home, neighbors are thankful the situation wasn't worse, but continue to express concern over other vacant properties in the community.

"Thank God that wasn't nobody there got hurt or killed," said Minister Charlie Nelson, who lives just a few doors down from the house that exploded on Thursday, July 18th.

Nelson says there are several other vacant properties on the street where he lives.

The Chief of the Kenosha Fire Prevention Bureau, Patrick Ryan, shares the residents' concern noting, "vacant buildings can pose a serious problem for firefighters."

Ryan also suggests neighbors keep an eye on vacant properties near their home.

"If they see people going in and out that they are not familiar with, or don't recognize them as the property owners, that would be a good time to contact the police," said Ryan.

Ryan says there have been no injuries reported as a result of the explosion, which is believed to have been natural gas related. If someone had been inside the home, Ryan said it could have been a different story.

"There would probably have been some injuries, could've been some pressure injuries and, along with that, some burns, definitely," said Ryan.

Damage to the home is estimated at around $70,000. An investigation into the actual cause of the explosion is still underway.