Explosion levels home in Monson

MONSON, Mass. (WWLP) - A home was reduced to rubble and two people were injured when a house exploded in Monson Tuesday morning.

The explosion at 108 Cote Road was so strong it leveled the house and rocked the neighborhood around 10:30 a.m.

Two men were injuried in the explosion - a son of the owner and a friend of the son. Twenty-six year-old Mathew J. Quirk of 108 Cote Road went to Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer where he was treated and released. Twenty-three year-old Alan J. Bohdiewicz of 146 Cote Road went to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. He was listed in fair condition on Wednesday.

Kevin Quesnel, who lives across the street, said he and another man rescued one of the men in the house who was buried in the rubble. Quesnel said the other man jumped from a roof area.

Fire Chief George Robichaud said the cause of the explosion is under investigation, but a propane leak is suspected. Investigators are also trying to find out the ignition source.