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Dunedin Road Reopens After House Explosion Injures 1

Photo courtesy Tricia Wollett

A man was flown to Tampa General Hospital this morning after a house exploded in Dunedin, fire officials say. Photo courtesy Tricia Wollett.

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By MARK  DOUGLAS | News Channel 8
and NEIL JOHNSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 11, 2009

Updated: 02/11/2009 03:12 pm

DUNEDIN - A Dunedin road has reopened after a house explosion that injured a man today, fire officials said.

Duane Arlyn Cole, 46, was found in the backyard of the home at 1524 Michigan Blvd. He was taken to Tampa General Hospital by helicopter.

His condition was unavailable this afternoon, but deputies said his injuries weren't life-threatening.

Dunedin Fire Marshal Bill McEllicott did not know whether Cole was inside the house when the explosion occurred.

The home was leveled and a nearby home suffered minor damage to a window. Residents said they heard the explosion up to a mile away.

Cole's stepson, Brandon Harring, said he believes Cole was living there alone. He said he and his mother moved out of the house two or three months ago when his parents separated.

Harring, 17, said he was at Dunedin High School when someone sent him a text and he raced to the scene. He said Cole is a construction worker.

Harring also said the family's American Eskimo dog, "Jingles," suffered respiratory problems from the explosion. The dog is being treated.

Pinellas County deputies arrived at the scene about 10:25 a.m. The home was ablaze and the roof had collapsed by the time emergency units arrived.

Fire investigators said the cause of the explosion and fire is unknown. There are no gas lines connected to the house.

News Channel 8 photojournalist Katy Hennig and Tribune reporter Josh Poltilove contributed to this report.

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