The father killed himself after disconnecting the gas line at his home in Edgewood, Pennsylvania, US, it is claimed
A dad reportedly killed himself in an explosion at his home on the day of his daughter’s wedding.
The blast took place at a house in Edgewood, Pennsylvania, US, on Saturday.
It is believed most of the man’s relatives were at the wedding at the time of the explosion.
Police Chief Robert Payne said it appeared the home owner had disconnected the gas line in the basement.
Speaking to WFMY News 2, he added: “It wouldn’t take much of a spark to explode the house.”
He told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “It’s my understanding that his family had a wedding today, and that most of the family was out of the house, but we have witnesses that indicate they saw him near the house just before the explosion.”
The fire caused the house to collapse, with police later searching the ruins for the home owner’s body.
Another added: “He went inside, to do what he had to do… five minutes later next thing you know the house is up in flames.
“They (the flames) were coming out of the front, the sides, just everywhere.”
The blaze also spread to the home next door, although firefighters managed to save the property by breaking its windows.
One local said people were crying at the scene of the inferno.
Footage shows smoke rising from the ruins of the home as firefighters dampen down smouldering debris