Suicide attempt caused explosion

STAFF/WIRE REPORT

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — An explosion that leveled a house and sparked a fire that gutted a neighboring home was the result of a suicide attempt, police said.

The home’s owner, Patrick Henry, unscrewed a gas line in the basement, said New Castle Police Chief Thomas Sansone.

Pennsylvania State police fire marshal has ruled the blast an arson. It happened around 12:30 p.m. Monday. It was felt a mile away and sent debris through the walls of many neighboring homes.

Besides Henry, three people were injured.

Henry, 30, was in critical condition and police had not been able to speak with him to determine whether he intended for the house to explode or whether he was trying to poison himself.

Leslie Orbin, a spokeswoman for Columbia Gas, said that the natural gas line in the house had been tampered with.