MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. -- Two houses have been destroyed, 10 others, including a church, damaged following an explosion in Chattaroy in Mingo County Thursday morning.

Firefighters were called to View Avenue in Howard Hollow around 2:00 a.m.

Crews say they found one house leveled and flames shooting 20 to 30 feet in the air from what now appears to be some type of gas explosion. No one was home at the time of the blast.

A mobile home next door was destroyed by the fire. The people in that home were able to get out.

Our crew on the scene, says another 10 homes, including a church were damaged by the blast. This includes doors blasted off their hinges, and windows blown out. Several cars in the neighborhood caught fire.

We’re told that the house where the blast happened was a rental property. Neighbors say the folks who lived in the house were at home until about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and then left.