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House in Hyde Park leveled in gas explosion – Metro US

House in Hyde Park leveled in gas explosion

Michael Burns considered himself lucky that he had to work at 7 a.m. and that his partner was out of town yesterday.

Otherwise, had the two men been inside their Danny Street home in Hyde Park, they might not be alive.

“Everything’s gone, everything’s gone, everything’s gone,” he told reporters outside his leveled home yesterday.

A contractor working for the Boston Water and Sewer Commission connecting a new water main in front of the home struck a gas line, officials from the Commission and NStar said. The home filled with gas, came into contact with an ignition source and blew up about 8:45 a.m.

The force of the blast sent debris flying and also damaged the windows of nearby homes in the residential neighborhood. Dozens of homes were evacuated as a precaution.

Fire officials said it appeared there were no injuries from the explosion.

At the scene, Burns, who lived in the home for nine years, said yesterday morning that he was unsure where exactly he was going to be spending the night.

“I don’t know where to go,” said Burns, flanked by Mayor Thomas Menino, whose house is one street away. It was undamaged. “Luckily I [have] a very close, tight family. They want to come here and hug me. Hopefully, that’ll be soon.”

Burns said he was getting help from the city, the police department and fire department and does have insurance.