3 family members, 5 dogs injured in Montgomery County house explosion

1 dog remains missing

WILLIS, Montgomery Co. – Investigators were back out at the scene Wednesday of the devastating house explosion in Willis looking for the cause.

Officials are waiting to speak with the homeowners who were severely burned when the home exploded early Tuesday morning.

The explosion happened in the 5500 block of Mandy Lane near Rogers Road shortly after 5 a.m. The house was shredded to pieces as wood and debris were scattered around.

Three people were injured in the explosion and fire, and rushed to Memorial Hermann Hospital by LifeFlight.

Local 2 has learned doctors are keeping Jason Brown sedated while he is in critical condition. His wife, Kristin, is alert, but still in serious condition.

Kristin's brother, who was at the home during the blast, is recovering at home from burns he received.

There was very little left of the home that exploded in Montgomery County early Tuesday morning.

Neighbors say Jason, Kristin, and her brother, Brian Mitchell, were all in their 30s and moved into the home about six months ago.

All was quiet Tuesday morning before the blast rocked the neighborhood and flames filled the sky.

Brad Trentham lives about five miles away.

"I heard a loud boom. I went out to the living room, I thought a car hit the wall, the whole wall moved," he said.

Trentham, who rushed outside to see what happened, said he was shocked at what he saw.

"There was nothing in my yard, but a bunch of my other neighbors were outside with flashlights looking around," Trentham said.

The blast also damaged neighboring homes.

"Around 5 o'clock we heard an explosion. It shook me out of bed. Our front door was blown open and whenever I went outside and I saw the fire and everybody screaming, I got a flashlight and ran over," Michael Mason said. "I just heard screaming from the wife telling her husband to get out ‘cause he was still in the middle of it. He just crawled out of the debris."

"We thought lightning maybe had hit a transformer or power line. We looked out of our back window and there was a flame so we called 911 and ran over," said Sheree Akins. "Our windows busted out the back of the house, pictures were knocked off the wall. It's just total devastation; there is nothing left."

Video sent in from KPRC Local 2 viewer Brent shows a massive fire.

According to investigators, the house had gas and electricity. There was also a 200-gallon propane tank in the back of the home, but it was still intact.

The debris field is 600 feet and insulation from the walls covered the trees.

Brown is listed in critical condition with severe burns. Memorial Hermann Texas Trauma Institute says another patient remains in serious condition, while a third patient was discharged Tuesday afternoon.

The family had six dogs at the home. Five have been recovered, all suffering burns, and one dog remains missing, officials said.

Officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the  Railroad Commission are investigating the cause.

Railroad Commission investigators spent Wednesday conducting tests on the pipes that delivered propane to the home.

Kristin's employer has set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for the family's medical expenses.

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Multiple injuries were reported when a home exploded in Willis, Texas Tuesday morning. The house was completely leveled and neighbors reported feeling the blast for miles.


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Passionate consumer advocate, mom of 3, addicted to coffee, hairspray and pastries.