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4 p.m. update: State police explosives experts on scene of Cambria County home explosion

PATTON — State police experts from the Hazardous Device and Explosives Section remain on the scene of this morning’s house explosion that left one man dead and at least two other individuals injured, state police said.

“We are treating this as a criminal investigation at this point,” said Trooper John Matchik, spokesman for the Ebensburg barracks.

The explosion occurred shortly after 9 a.m. at 836 Kepshire Road, Patton.

Matchik did not release the name or age of the man killed in the blast, which leveled the home and left debris strewn across the area.

At least two other individuals who were injured in the explosion were transported to Altoona Regional, but the exact number of victims was not known, Matchik said. The individuals’ names and ages were not released.

Determining the cause of the explosion would be “pure speculation at this point,” Matchik said, adding he could not comment on any criminal history at the property or the possibility of a retaliation-style attack.

Investigators are speaking with nearby residents who witnessed the explosion and continue to treat the incident as a criminal investigation, Matchik said.

“We don’t want to rule out anything at this point,” Matchik said.

State police requested investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to assist in the investigation, Matchik said.

William Shaner of Auburndale, Fla., said this morning when reached by phone that he had received a call about an incident at the home of his son, who is also named William Shaner.

“I don’t know what’s going on yet myself. I don’t have any idea,” he said.

Shaner said he and his wife are making preparations to fly to Pennsylvania.

The house on Kepshire Road is off Route 36 in a rural area.

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