House Explosion Kills Man In Armstrong County

An explosion took the life of a 75-year-old man who was lighting a propane furnace in a rental property when it ignited on Wednesday.

The blast and fire reduced the house on Route 268 in Sugarcreek Township to rubble.

When Hank Vasbinder and his wife, Nancy, went to the rental unit they had recently remodeled Wednesday afternoon, they smelled gas.

Nancy went to their home next door while Hank attempted to light the furnace. A short time later, she heard a loud explosion and felt the house shake. Nancy called her son and daughter-in-law, who rushed to the scene.

Michelle Toy, Vasbinder's daughter-in law, said, "She was screaming in the telephone. I could hear her across the street. By time we got here it was too late."

Firefighters were unable to get past the fast-moving flames to get inside to Vasbinder. He was pronounced dead a short time later.

The fire marshal is now investigating.

Previous Stories: October 24, 2007: 1 Person Killed In Armstrong County Fire