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Firefighters were called to area an hour before Forsyth County house explosion, officials say

The Griffith Fire Department responded to the blaze.
Courtesy Griffith Fire Department
The Griffith Fire Department responded to the blaze.

An hour before a Forsyth County home exploded last week, firefighters had been called to the area to investigate a gas odor, according to emergency officials.

The initial call came in around 9:50 p.m. on July 24. Crews with the Griffith Fire Department responded but were unable to locate a source. Just over an hour later, at 10:58 p.m., emergency responders were dispatched again — this time for a reported house fire and possible explosion.

Firefighters arrived at the home at 2442 Friedberg Church Road and found a partially collapsed structure.

One person was pulled from the wreckage before being transported to the hospital. Three others who were inside the home at the time were also injured. Two of the victims remain hospitalized with serious burns. A firefighter who suffered a medical emergency at the scene was treated and released.

Investigators have determined the cause of the fire was a natural gas explosion, but the source of the leak has not yet been identified.

Officials are asking anyone with photos, videos, or other information about the blast to contact the Forsyth County Fire Marshal’s Office at 336-703-2550.

April Laissle is a senior reporter and editor at WFDD. Her work has been featured on several national news programs and recognized by the Public Media Journalists Association and the Radio Television Digital News Association. Before joining WFDD in 2019, she worked at public radio stations in Ohio and California.

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