Woman trying to repair gas-fueled water heater blows up her house

TAUNTON, Mass. — Investigators say a Massachusetts woman who was trying to perform repairs on her house ended up blowing it up instead.

The homeowner escaped from her Taunton residence before the fire and explosion Sunday afternoon. No one was hurt.

State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan and Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw said Monday that the woman was trying to repair her gas-fueled hot water heater and inadvertently removed the gas shut-off valve.

This allowed gas to pour into the basement, where it ignited.

The house is considered a total loss.

This story was originally published October 27, 2015 at 7:25 AM with the headline "Woman trying to repair gas-fueled water heater blows up her house."