ELEANOR, W.Va. — A small explosion in a Putnam County residence Tuesday afternoon killed a 62-year-old woman.
The explosion happened around 3 p.m. at a home on Jim Ridge Road in the Eleanor area, police said.
Putnam County Sheriff Steve Deweese said the woman lived alone at the house, but family members that lived nearby found her unconscious following the explosion.
“They moved her to the outside started performing CPR with assistance from 911 dispatchers,” Deweese said. “Once first responders arrived, they continued with CPR but unfortunately (she) passed away.”
Deweese said the State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause, but said a gas stove at the residence could have been the reason for the blast.
“The house was not a complete loss, but there was some structure damage from the fire. The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating,” said Deweese.
The house was filled with smoke, with a small fire in the kitchen and the woman on the floor, unresponsive, police said.
The woman, whose name has not been released, was eventually pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.