Explosion destroys Princeton house; 61-year-old man is missing

By Linda Bock, Telegram & Gazette Staff

PRINCETON — Firefighters in Princeton responded to Ball Hill Road late this morning for a four-alarm fire that appears to have destroyed a small home. One resident is missing.

Neighbors reported hearing an explosion just before seeing the house engulfed in flames. According to one neighbor, a man who worked as a trucker lived in the house and there may have been an oxygen tank and propane tank in the house.

Officials say a 61-year-old resident is unaccounted-for. Neighbors say Rick Conway lived in the home that was owned by his mother and that she moved into a nursing home about six months ago. A car, which neighbors said belonged to Conway, was still parked in the driveway.

The explosion blew the front part of the house away and smoke continued to pour from the structure at noon. Responders are continuing to search for the missing man.

State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan was reportedly heading to the scene.