"It was just this tremendous boom," Lancaster Co. community rallies after deadly inn explo

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Pennsylvania State Police said one person has died from a propane explosion at the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn in Leacock Township.

The explosion happened around 8:00 a.m. Monday and required a response from more than 20 fire companies.

"It was just this tremendous boom. The smoke was billowing, you could see the tops of the flames from back where we live," said Stephen Caldwell, who lives near the inn.

The inn was leveled in the blast, with one of the few things still standing being the bell that was on top of the management office.

Troopers have not released the identity of the person who was killed in the blast. Those who know the owner said it was an employee.

No customers were staying at the inn when the blast happened, as it closed the week before Christmas for maintenance.

Greg Perrin spoke to CBS 21, and he said he's been staying at the inn since he was eight-years-old. He spoke to us about how the business has grown over the years.

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"My family was coming here when this front part was the only hotel, the restaurant was a little smaller," said Perrin.

PSP said the explosion is still under investigation, but community members said they're ready to rally behind the inn.

"These are good people, and anybody who's from around here right now has a gut punch because this is just shocking and very sad. They'll come back, and they'll get a lot of support from the community."

According to the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn website, operations at the hotel will be closed.

They have not announced an opening date.

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