State Officials Investigating Explosion at Vacant Retirement Home

ATLANTA – The Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that state investigators are looking into a gas explosion that occurred at a vacant retirement home in Woodstock on Thursday, November 12.

“Our investigators received a call from the Woodstock Fire Department on Thursday,” said Commissioner King. “We were all very thankful to learn that no elderly person was in the home at the time of the explosion as the Holbrook of Woodstock facility was still under construction. However, one construction worker was taken to a local hospital for treatment and is in our prayers.”

State investigators soon learned that the accidental explosion was due to a purge of natural gas at the facility. Commissioner King’s State Fire Investigations Unit is still working on this case along with the Georgia Public Service Commission, Atlanta Gas Light, and the Woodstock Fire Department.

Investigators remain confident that this explosion was accidental, but Commissioner King’s office will provide any necessary updates to the press and the public as they become available. Requests for photos of the scene should be directed to the Woodstock Fire Department.

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The mission of the Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner is to protect Georgia families by providing access to vital insurance products and safe buildings through fair regulation that creates economic opportunities for all Georgians.