MSP: Harper Woods home explosion caused by attempted theft of furnace

HARPER WOODS, Mich. (WJBK) - The Michigan State Police says the attempted theft of a furnace at a vacant Harper Woods home led to the house filling with gas and causing it explode.

The home on Lennon Street exploded Friday morning around 9 a.m. According to MSP, someone tried to steal the furnace Thursday night and disconnected it from the gas line. 

The thief failed and left the furnace behind. Meanwhile, the home filled with gas.

The next morning, when appraisals showed up at the home, oxygen rushed inside, causing the home to explode.

Harper Woods home explosion victims upgraded to stable condition

Police said the home was up for sale and had just finished being renovated.

The two appraisers, a 66-year-old man and 33-year-old woman, were both injured in the explosion. As of Tuesday, they were both listed in stable condition.

2 critically injured when home explodes in Harper Woods