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Lightning Apparently Caused Gas Leak Near House Explosion

MONTROSE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - A utility says a lightning strike apparently caused a gas leak across the street from where a house later exploded in Genesee County.

Consumers Energy spokeswoman Debra Dodd says crews were repairing the leak when the home exploded Tuesday afternoon in Montrose Township, about 70 miles northwest of Detroit. Dodd says the leak apparently occurred when lightning struck a tree Tuesday morning.

The Flint Journal reports that while utility crews were working there was an explosion and fire.

No one was home at the time and no one was injured. Dodd says a Consumers Energy trailer in the driveway of the home was damaged.

Dodd says the cause of the explosion is under investigation by the unit of Jackson-based CMS Energy Corp. as well as state and local officials.

© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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