'It Felt Like A Little Earthquake:' Car Explosion In North Huntingdon Considered 'Intentional'

NORTH HUNTINGDON (KDKA) - An investigation is underway after a car explosion rocked a North Huntingdon Township neighborhood late Saturday night.

A classic car exploded on the 1100 block of Clay Pike around 11:40 pm. Investigators believe the explosion was no accident.

"I heard a tremendous explosion," said Gabs Marsico, a neighbor.

"It felt like a little earthquake," said Paul Ritchie, a neighbor.

Neighbors said the blast was so loud it could be heard miles away.

"The whole neighborhood woke up," Marsico said. "It woke me up and I looked out the window. I knew it was something pretty violent."

Authorities said the 1967 Chrysler Newport belonged to the homeowner of the house it was parked outside of.

ATF, North Huntingdon Police Department, and the FBI were investigating Sunday. They believe it was intentional.

"We do believe this was an intentional criminal act. I don't know that I can say much more than that," said Ronald Sabotchick, resident agent in charge of the Pittsburgh ATF office. "There is a lot of damage to the front of the car," he said.

The hood of the car is mangled and charred. The side of the house also has some damage.

No one was hurt in the explosion.

Neighbors explained just how loud the boom was.

"My daughter lives about 3 to 4 miles from here and they heard it over there," Marsico said.

"It was just a loud bang and I just felt the ground shake and it really scared me," Ritchie said.

This was a shocking incident for this quiet neighborhood.

"It doesn't happen around here, nothing like that, it's pretty quiet and something like that is weird," Ritchie said.

Investigators have not released many details or if they have identified any suspects.

Anyone with information about the explosion should call North Huntingdon Township Police Department or the ATF Pittsburgh office.