By AP/KWMU
Wood River, Ill. – A man in Wood River, Ill. admitted he blew up his house last week in an apparent suicide attempt.
Wood River Fire Chief Steve Alexander said the 45-year-old man told authorities he pulled the gas lines from the furnace and water heater Friday in hopes of killing himself.
The ensuing explosion blew off one side of the house, shattered the home's windows and sent debris flying. Residents living blocks away said they felt the blast.
Alexander said the man admitted that once he removed the lines, he waited in his living room for the home to fill up with fumes before he lit a disposable lighter.
The man was treated at a hospital and released.