LEBANON, Pa. — Update, 4:00 p.m.: The Lebanon City Fire Department confirmed the explosion was a result of a gas leak. Officials believe a snow blower may have broken a gas pipe in the sidewalk, causing the pipe to leak into the building.
The explosion originated in a barber shop, which was closed Tuesday due to the snow.
"Pretty remarkable really. Thank goodness they weren’t in the barber shop. Things would be much more different," said Lebanon Bureau of Fire Commissioner Duane Trautman.
The explosion also damaged a flower shop and a tattoo parlor on either side of the barber shop.
Neighbors reported smelling gas about 20 minutes prior to the explosion and had called gas utility UGI. A UGI employee had just arrived to investigate the possible gas leak and was parked across the street when the explosion happened.
No injuries were reported.
Update, 2:40 p.m.: The Lebanon City Fire Department reported that everyone was removed from the building safely and the fire has been extinguished.
Previously
Crews are responding to a reported two-alarm fire in Lebanon, according to emergency dispatch and the Lebanon City Fire Department.
The fire was reported shortly after 2 p.m.
It is located at a business on the 900 block of Cumberland St., dispatch said.
An explosion was reported at the scene, dispatch said.
The Lebanon City Fire Department posted on its Facebook page that residents and motorists should avoid the area.
FOX43 will have more information as it becomes available.