GOBLES, Mich. - Authorities in southwestern Michigan say a two-story, century-old house undergoing reconstruction was demolished by an explosion. They say the blast also knocked pictures off the walls of nearby homes, but no one was injured.


Van Buren County Sheriff Dale R. Gribler said Thursday that the owner told authorities he was storing two barrels of gasoline in the basement of the home in Gobles. The site is about 40 miles south-southwest of Grand Rapids.

Gribler says crews from several fire departments worked about two hours to control a blaze that followed the blast.

He says the state police fire marshal's office is investigating the cause of the explosion.

Owner Betty Palmer of Hoffman Estates, Ill., says the house wasn't insured.

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