Two people found dead after Berne house explosion, investigation underway
BERNE (WRGB) — An investigation is underway to find the cause and origin of a powerful house explosion that killed two people Friday night.
"It was probably one of the most horrific explosions I've seen," said Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple.
The massive blast happened at 1470 Hilltop Lane in Berne around 8:20 p.m.
The second victim, Lois Porlier, 72, was located Saturday morning after crews found her husband Victor Porlier, 83, Friday night.
"They were able to locate 83-year-old Victor Porlier in the back yard where he was blown out of the house," said Apple.
"She was located in her bed in her bedroom in a different portion of the house," he added.
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Apple says investigators believe the blast was detonated in the rear of the home.
The thunderous explosion was felt miles away. Residents tell CBS6 that they heard a large boom and then saw a massive fire.
"They thought it was an earthquake or something," said Apple.
One viewer sent CBS6 a video she shot miles away from the scene showing the inferno firefighters were up against.
"This was a very logistical nightmare of a fire because they had to pump water upwards of a mile away bring it up, put it in a portable pond and bring it up a hill probably two to three-tenths of a mile long," said Apple
But Apple says the nightmare isn't over. The violent explosion sent debris flying more than a hundred yards away.
"They have a very methodical investigation ahead of them. The debris field is probably a diameter of a hundred plus yard, let alone we have a three and a half story house that is now in the basement, so we have to pump the basement and then start to pull items out slowly to see exactly what we’re looking at," said Apple.
The Albany County Sheriff's Department will be leading the investigation with assistance from the New York State Office of
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
