An explosion that destroyed a house in College Ward left two siblings injured Thursday, said Chief Deputy David Bennett of the Cache County Sheriff’s Office.

Tony Sorensen, 27, and Mary Sorensen, 23, were in the house, located at 2907 S. 2400 West, at the time of the initial explosion. Mary was transported to Logan Regional Hospital with minor cuts and burns and is currently in good condition. Tony was in critical condition when he was transported by helicopter to the University of Utah Burn Center, with 65 percent of his body covered in burns. However, Bennett said he is now in stable condition.

Although the initial blast was previously thought to be caused by a propane tank exploding, officials found that propane buildup in the house was ignited by an unknown source. The blast leveled the house, Bennett said.

An off-duty deputy and his father, who lived nearby the house, heard the explosion and arrived at the house to see Mary coming out of the house’s remains, Bennett said. Tony had to be dug out of the rubble.

Right after the two were removed from the wreckage, Bennett said another set of explosions set the house’s remains on fire.

“So they were pretty lucky to get out of there,” he said.

A technician from Pitcher Sales Inc., based in Lewiston, performed a regular propane service Wednesday after the smell of propane caused concern. Bennett said the technician found some “tiny leaks that most people probably have in their house but don’t know about” but didn’t feel it was a concern. Pitcher Sales Inc. was unavailable for comment.

Bennett said he doesn’t believe the explosion was particularly anyone’s fault. The house was totaled and there is no way to find what ignited the gas and caused the explosion, he said.

Ward member Kelly Zilles said the siblings are both return missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She also said the siblings’ parents are currently serving an LDS mission outside of the country.

Bennett said Thursday that after the fire department finishes cleaning up the wreckage, the insurance company will be notified and the house will be turned back over to the owners.

– rac.ch@aggiemail.usu.edu