Cleanup under way after Scituate explosion

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

Crews cleaned up debris today and residents were still in shock at the scene of an explosion in Scituate that leveled a house, killing one person, and damaged seven other homes.

At least three houses near the one that exploded Wednesday afternoon were posted with condemnation notices this morning as a private cleanup crew raked insulation off neighboring lawns and town workers began using a backhoe to collect large pieces of debris.

A Bay State gas crew was on the scene, searching for the source of the explosion. Investigators from the state fire marshal’s office were also there, trying to determine what happened.

Authorities have not yet identified the man whose body was found in the ruins of the house on Turner Road.

Theresa Nielsen, a long-time friend of the homeowner, Kim Chubbuck, said she believed that the victim was Chubbuck’s boyfriend, who had arrived home in the early afternoon yesterday to make dinner for the couple.

A neighbor reported a strong odor of gas just minutes before the ranch house erupted in a massive explosion at about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Globe reported today.

• Comment
• Permalink
• Email