By Phil HelselNBC
News
Three people were killed after a home exploded Wednesday in Evansville, Indiana, in an incident that damaged 39 other homes, according to authorities.
One person was also taken to a hospital after the explosion that occurred just before 1 pm, Evansville Fire Chief Mike Connelly said.
Some of the houses were so affected that it is not safe to enter them.
As of Wednesday night, the search for more victims had not been completed, Connelly added.
The cause of the explosion, which occurred on North Weinbach Avenue, is being investigated.
Authorities respond to the scene of an explosion at an Indiana home.
NBC News affiliate in Indiana
The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also involved in the explosion investigation.
The identities of the dead and other details have not been released
until next of kin are notified, the Vanderburgh County Coroner's Office added.
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The utility company CenterPoint Energy arrived and secured the area of the explosion, and Connelly said his team did not detect any natural gas, but the cause of the explosion was still being determined.
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CenterPoint said in a statement that its crews responded to the explosion and that the company is working closely with the fire department, the state fire marshal and other agencies.