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Explosion in Suburban St. Louis Was Caused by Natural Gas

By AP/KWMU

Jefferson City, MO – State investigators on Wednesday blamed natural gas escaping from a service line for an explosion that destroyed a house in suburban Manchester in December.

Four people were injured in the explosion.

The Missouri Public Service Commission says pressure from tree roots forced a service line to pull out of its connection to the gas main. The gas migrated into the house, ignited, causing the explosion.

The report also said a joint in the service line was improperly assembled when installed 30 years ago.

The state wants Laclede Gas to pay penalties. Laclede, though, says the event was isolated; it says it's working to address the state's recommendations.

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