SISSONVILLE - West Virginia State Police say several structures are on fire and about a mile of Interstate 77 is shut down in both directions near Sissonville after a major gas explosion.
Sgt. Michael Baylous says it's unclear whether anyone has been hurt.
The explosion occurred around 12:40 p.m. Tuesday, and firefighters and other first responders were rushing to the scene.
Article Photos
This image provided by the West Virginia State Police shows a fireball erupting across Interstate 77 from a natural gas line explosion Tuesday in Sissonville. At least five homes went up in flames and a badly damaged section of Interstate 77 was closed in both directions because of the inferno.(AP Photo/West Virginia State Police)
Baylous said details are sketchy, but there is a nursing home near the site of the explosion along Tupper's Creek.
Sissonville is about 5 miles north of Charleston.
