'It looked like a war zone': Man in his 70s is killed in a huge 'propane tank' explosion that flattened home and could be heard at least 16 miles away

  • An explosion destroyed a home in northeast Georgia, killing one man 
  • The blast reduced the home off of Rhododendron Road near Cleveland to ashes
  • People reported feeling shock waves from the blast as far as 16 miles away
  • Police say they suspect a propane gas leak may have been the source
  • The victim's name has not been released but he is said to be in his seventies 

By Anna Hopkins For Dailymail.com and Associated Press

Published: 14:54 EST, 3 February 2017 | Updated: 18:08 EST, 3 February 2017

Police say an explosion that completely destroyed a home in northeast Georgia may have been caused by a gas leak, which left 'nothing but the foundation' and killed one person inside.

White County Sheriff Neal Walden said the blast around 10:30am on Friday on 64 Rhododendron Road in Sautee Nacoochee, near Cleveland, was so powerful that people reported feeling the shock wave as far as 16 miles away. 

The identity of the man who was killed has not yet been revealed, though he is said to be in his seventies. 

Scroll down for video 

Police say an explosion that completely destroyed a home in northeast Georgia may have been caused by a gas leak, which left 'nothing but the foundation' and killed one person inside. A propane tank can be seen to the bottom right of photo

White County Sheriff Neal Walden said the blast around 10:30am on Friday on 64 Rhododendron Road in Sautee Nacoochee, near Cleveland, was so powerful that people reported feeling the shock wave as far as 16 miles away

Video courtesy of 11 Alive/WXIA 

Sheriff Walden confirmed the explosion left three or four homes nearby with broken windows and other damage, though no other injuries were reported.

Sautee Nacoochee is an unincorporated area in Georgia's northeast corner, near Cleveland, and about 95 miles from Atlanta.

The woods were on fire and what was left of the house was on fire,' Walden said. 

'It looked like a war zone.'

Sheriff Walden confirmed the explosion left three or four homes nearby with broken windows and other damage

TV news stations broadcast footage from the scene of pieces of wood, concrete blocks and other debris strewn over a wide area.

'The exact cause of this explosion is still under investigation,' Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said. 

'The body of an adult male was discovered in the rubble.' 

People took to Facebook to report hearing the huge blast which killed a man in his 70s

Residents reported feeling the explosion across the county.

Facebook user Mikelisa Anderson said she heard the 'boom' in Cornelia, which is over 16 miles away from the home.

One user, Jessica Thompson, said she thought it was propane, as they heard it from Clarkesville Elementary school, nearly 17 miles away.  

Before the explosion: The home was once a lush home surrounded by an ample forest at 64 Rhododendron Road has now been reduced to ashes


Comments (1)

Share what you think

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now