Woman escapes after her house explodes

A loud explosion in a Taunton neighborhood Sunday afternoon had the phones at the police department ringing off the hook.

The Taunton Fire Department received a call about the explosion around 3:53 p.m., Taunton firefighter Josh Correia said.

“It was so strong I thought a tree fell on my house”, neighbor Paul Saltalamacchia told Smith.

He said the investigation into the cause of the explosion and fire would resume Monday morning.

Police said Laurie Beliveau, 52, managed to make it outside unscathed from her two-story residence at 40 Christine Lane after an explosion rocked the house.

“Almost like a mini-earthquake but not as intense”, Jenna Roberts added.

By the time fire crews arrived, the home was completely engulfed in flames.

“She said she was upstairs in her bedroom when the closet door blew off”, Saltalmacchia said.

Firefighters remained on scene early Sunday evening, Coan said, but the fire was “well under control”.

Officials are still investigating what caused the explosion, but gas crews spent hours at the home digging up the gas line. “But the woman nonetheless is safe and alive tonight”. The woman who lived in the house ran out before it exploded and was taken to the hospital.