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House Explosion in Monroe County

COOLBAUGH TOWNSHIP — An explosion destroyed a home in the Poconos and the flames aren’t the only thing authorities are looking into. Officials are a...

COOLBAUGH TOWNSHIP -- An explosion destroyed a home in the Poconos and the flames aren't the only thing authorities are looking into.

Officials are also looking into hateful graffiti that was found painted on the garage door. Neighbors are concerned this could be some sort of hate crime.

An explosion, flames, and smoke destroyed the house on Mohawk Trail in Coolbaugh Township. Crews were called to this house near Tobyhanna just after 3 a.m. Monday.

Patrick Gorski heard the boom from his father's home next door.

"I thought a grenade went off. My whole house was shaking. I was in my bed trying to fall asleep but I heard like a loud bang," Gorski said.

The fire chief tells Newswatch 16 a vapor buildup is to blame but he couldn't confirm exactly what kind of vapor caused the blast.

No one was inside at the time, but according to authorities, someone was working on the house.

Fire crews also found swastikas and homophobic slurs spray painted on the garage door.

"I am a person of color, and I have lived here 26 years," said Caroline Chang. "To see something like that is ridiculous."

The damage from the explosion isn't just in the front of the house. It's also in the back where the walls are all blown out.

From the back of the home looking in, you can also see "Trump" spray painted on a mirror.

Pocono Mountain Regional Police and state police fire marshals are investigating the explosion.

The police chief tells Newswatch 16 officials need to investigate the fire first, and then look into the graffiti.

Neighbors who came to look at the destruction are hoping it isn't some sort of hate crime.

"It's nasty. It's nasty," said Kevin Villimar. "You see the signs, foul words being used. This doesn't have to happen. This can affect more than just this house."

A state police fire marshal is coming in to investigate the fire later this week.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pocono Mountain Regional Police.

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