House destroyed by explosion Sunday. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        LIBERTY TWP. - A trip to church saved a family here when a suspected gas leak apparently caused their house to explode moments after they walked out the door, fire officials said.

        John and Kerry Wesner and their two toddler children were not injured in the 8:06 a.m. explosion at 6955 Lakota Ridge Drive off Hamilton-Mason Road.

        But their home was destroyed, said Liberty Township Fire Chief Paul Stumpf. Initial damage was estimated at $300,000 to $325,000 and the two-story brick home was condemned Sunday, officials said.

        A gas leak in the service line running to the house is believed to be the cause, the chief said.

        The Wesners were backing out of the driveway when the explosion occurred, Chief Stumpf said.

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