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Watch report from 9NEWS NOW's Scott Broom

No one was hurt when a catastrophic explosion flattened a home on the outskirts of Mount Airy before dawn Friday.

Five neighboring homes were damaged, two badly.

The explosion occurred around 1:45 a.m. Friday in the 2200 block Flag Marsh Road and threw debris as far as 400 feet from the demolished house.

Investigators believe a propane leak is to blame. The cause of the leak and the source of the ignition are still under investigation

The destroyed structure was a two story frame building that was converted to a home from an original schoolhouse built in 1898.

It was unoccupied, but is the former residence of 85-year-old Myra Davis, who now lives with relatives in Westminster. The house was under renovation, according to fire investigators.

In the aftermath of the explosion, Davis' large extended family, many of whom grew up in the house, were able to salvage family photos dating back to the 1940's, but little else.

Written by Scott Broom

# posted by Dave Statter @ 9:18 PM