The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

November 25, 2009

Three explosion victims remain in critical conditio

Three of the six victims of a Greenbrier County explosion remained in critical condition Wednesday, while the conditions of two others were upgraded.

University of Virginia Health System public relations director Peter Jump said Wednesday the conditions of Tara Patterson and Tiffany Williams remained critical.

Kelly Wickline was in serious condition and Terry Patterson Jr. was in fair condition at the Charlottesville hospital, Jump says.

Tacy Patterson, hospitalized at Charleston Area Medical Center, remained critical, according to a CAMC spokesperson.

Terry Patterson Sr., the house�s owner, was treated and released Monday.

Authorities say they�re still working to determine the cause of the blast. A spokesperson for the state fire marshal�s office said investigators were on scene Wednesday, but did not release any other information.

The house, located on Crosier Road in McRoss, sustained three back-to-back-to-back explosions, then a fire, shortly after 7 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

The explosion leveled the house and two of the six people inside were thrown from the rubble by the force of the blast.

The victims are between 18 and 54 years of age and all are from the Rupert and Rainelle areas, Sheriff James Childers said.

— Jackie Ayres

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