Explosion levels home in Willis, injuring three

WILLIS, TX (KTRK) -- Firefighters are investigating a house explosion in Willis.

The call came in around 5am at a home on Mandy Lane at Fisher.

"When units arrived they came to a debris field here and we found that it was a house that had exploded. We had three adult patients who were transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital," said Fire Chief Jason Oliphant with the Montgomery County Emergency Service District 1.

Dispatchers for Life Flight sent two medical helicopters. According to hospital officials, one patient remains in critical condition, one is in serious condition and one is now in fair condition.

Neighbors say the victims were a husband, wife and brother-in-law. Neighbors says the couple, the brother and their seven dogs moved in just six months ago.

"I heard a huge explosion," said nearby resident Leslie Love. "It sound like a bomb or a gas plant exploded but there is no gas plant out here."

Video from Skyeye HD showed massive damage to the property and a large debris field. Investigators say the debris is spread across 600 feet form the residence and did damage to nearby homes.

There is no word on what caused the home to explode. Investigators said there was no natural gas running to the home and said propane is commonly used.

The fire marshal's office is investigating, with assistance from the Railroad Commission and ATF.

While the victims are in the hospital, their surviving dogs are being cared for by neighbors. One dog was killed in the blast and another is missing