House blew up

After gas explosion: Styrian man out of danger

The house was completely destroyed after the gas explosion on Thursday.(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Early on Thursday morning, a massive gas explosion occurred in a detached house in Hart bei Graz (we reported). The 72-year-old resident was taken to hospital with serious injuries. According to the police, the man is now out of danger. He could not yet be questioned about the cause of the explosion. 

A huge explosion in a detached house shook a housing estate in the municipality of Hart bei Graz on Thursday morning. The fire department rescued the 72-year-old resident from the rubble with serious injuries. 

Destroyed house is impassable
As the police announced on Friday, the 72-year-old is now out of danger. He is in intensive care and is on the road to recovery, says police spokesman Fritz Grundnig. Further investigations into the gas container, the possible cause of the explosion, have been carried out. The man is not yet fit for questioning. The building is badly damaged and impassable.

"We expect to find out more from an interview with the man," says Grundnig. At the moment, the possibility of third-party negligence can be ruled out. The house in danger of collapsing, which according to the police could be demolished at a later date, was cordoned off by the municipality of Hart bei Graz on Thursday.