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Emergency services chief: Hershberger Road house explosion was accidental; mutual aid assisted
Summary
The emergency services chief reported a June spike in calls and that a July house explosion on Hershberger Road was considered accidental, involving mutual‑aid responses and one person transported to Conewell Memorial Hospital.
The emergency services chief told the Upper Yoder supervisors that in June the fire company responded to 31 fire incidents and 156 EMS calls (187 incidents total for the month) and reported year‑to‑date totals of 1,098 incidents.
He said crews conducted joint ladder training with neighboring departments and are hosting a rope awareness and operations course through September to improve rescue capabilities on steep terrain.
On July 6 the chief described response to a house explosion on a section of Hershberger Road. Crews from several mutual‑aid departments — Southwell, West Hills, City of Johnstown, East Conemore and others — assisted at the scene. Emergency responders found one injured person who was transported to Conewell Memorial Hospital. The chief said the explosion’s cause was determined to be accidental and related to a gas line feeding a heater inside the house; there was no external source of ignition reported.
The chief praised interagency cooperation and said established emergency action plans and on‑scene command helped secure the structure and ensure public safety.
Why it matters: the incident highlights the role of mutual aid in local responses to serious incidents and prompts community reminders about gas‑safety precautions and emergency planning.
What’s next: the department will continue scheduled training and public‑safety outreach; the chief said the service will share prevention materials when available.
