GALLATIN, Tenn. – The tranquility of Chaffin Court was shattered by a powerful mid-morning explosion that left neighbors shaken and homes damaged over half a mile away. What was initially mistaken for a lightning strike or sonic boom turned out to be a home explosion caused by a suspected natural gas leak.
Surveillance footage captured in the aftermath of the explosion showed the destructive force that ripped through the neighborhood. Residents like Marie Perdue recounted feeling the blast and finding their homes in disarray, with shattered glass and fallen clocks.
Perdue, a long-time resident of the area, expressed her shock at the unprecedented event, recalling how the explosion left her fearing for her friend Brenda Strong, who lived in the duplex that was obliterated. Fortunately, Strong had been out for a walk at the time of the incident and escaped unharmed.
The explosion did, however, result in the woman who resided in the duplex being hospitalized with severe burns. Despite her injuries, she was reported to be in stable condition. The community was left reeling from the aftermath, with safety concerns at the forefront of every neighbor’s mind.
Gas workers who responded to the scene assured residents that it was safe to remain in the area, indicating that a gas line had exploded. However, authorities from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation suspect foul play and are currently conducting an investigation into the cause of the explosion.
As the neighborhood works to recover from the devastation, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the unexpected dangers that can lurk within one’s own community. With the investigation ongoing, residents remain vigilant, hoping for answers and a sense of security in the wake of such a shocking event.