EDEN, N.C. — Police and fire crews are clearing debris after an explosion at a KFC restaurant in Eden early Thursday morning.
The explosion occurred at the KFC on North Van Buren Road. Video from WFMY News 2 viewers reveals the building was leveled. Eden police said they got a call around 12:45 a.m. about an explosion. Eden Police Chief Greg Light said no one was hurt or inside the restaurant when it exploded.
Debris was scattered on the road and adjacent parking lot. Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas were seen there around 3:00 a.m. ATF was also at the scene along with the State Fire Marshal.
"We're just so lucky that this wasn't 12 hours different," said Eden Mayor Neville Hall." [If it happened] at noon, during the day, we'd have had a much worse situation. The main thing is no one was injured."
The blast damaged several surrounding businesses, including AIA Sweepstakes, Tee To Green Golf Shop and King’s Inn Pizza Parlor. The damage for most of those businesses included busted and broken windows.
In a Facebook post, Eden police confirmed it was an explosion. The surrounding section of the road will be closed as the investigation continues.
WFMY News 2 received numerous calls from neighbors in the area who said their homes shook during the explosion.
Lots of emergency crews have been in the area all morning long and into the afternoon as they continue to investigate the explosion. Crews are also working to remove all of the debris and piece together what happened moments before the explosion occurred.
All that remains from the explosion is the KFC business street sign.
WFMY NEWS 2 FACEBOOK LIVE RIGHT AFTER THE EXPLOSION
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PHOTOS | KFC Leveled From Explosion in Eden
One video shows smoke rising from the remains of the restaurant.
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