House explodes in Central City, man in critical condition

CENTRAL CITY, Ky. – Tuesday morning, the Central City Fire Department responded to a house explosion off the 400 block of North Fifth Street. 

The department said one male sustained severe burns and is now receiving treatment at Skyline Medical Center in Nashville.

Law enforcement said that four residences have been damaged and are receiving help the American Red Cross. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

“We do not have confirmation that there is anybody else inside the residence. We have done a primary search, and it has so far proved negative, but there is one patient right now that has been flown to the Skyline,” said Logan Franklin, the Central City Deputy fire chief.

Derrick Stanley, a neighbor to the house that exploded and friend of the man living there, said he actually recalled witnessing everything unfolding that morning.

“I was just sitting in that swing and I heard something, first a little boom. Inside the house, you see nothing but flames inside the house. Then, the second great big boom. The house flew up in the air. I actually heard him flying through the air and actually hit the ground screaming for help,” Stanley said. 

Stanley said the explosion shook their neighborhood, including homes on both sides of the destroyed house that children were inside of as the flames blazed. Now he is praying for his friend who is said to be in critical condition as of this morning. 

“If you ever see a natural gas explosion and you see the aftermath, it isn’t funny,” Stanley said.

This is a joint investigation. We will keep following this story for you.