'Literally earth shaking': Officials investigate explosion near Cornelius neighborhood

CORNELIUS, N.C. — Widespread reports of an explosion are under investigation after neighbors said they did not receive a warning before construction blasting near a Cornelius neighborhood.

Investigators said they belive the cause was from a construction site blasting rock in the Bailey's Glen subdivision.

STATEMENT FROM FIRE RESCUE: 

"Cornelius and Davidson Fire Departments responded to reports of an explosion in the Bailey Rd / River Run area this evening. The cause was found to be a construction company blasting rock in the Bailey’s Glen subdivision. The Mecklenburg County Fire Marshals Office is investigating to ensure all proper permits were in place and procedures were followed. There was no damage to life or property."

No injuries were reported, but residents took to social media to express their concern and frustration about the explosion because they said they did not receive advance warning.

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"It was insane," one woman posted.

"That was a very intense explosion," another woman wrote.

"The explosion was literally earth shaking," said Brendan Krebs on Facebook.

April Oates Monroe commented she was frustrated and would have liked to know "before my whole house shook."

Monroe said normally, she hears crickets and a donkey in her quiet neighborhood.

Monday afternoon, Monroe said she heard an earth moving sound.

"The whole house shook. It was crazy. The windows rattled," Monroe said.

Kristin Stowell, who lives 3-miles away, said it felt like it was next door.

"It shook our house for sure," Stowell said.

Officials said the noise led to a cascade of calls to 911 from worried residents. Neighbors said it is comforting to know what caused it, but they said they feel like crews should tell them before doing something like that.

"It still probably would have startled me because of how bad the house shook, but at least I would have known the cause of it," Monroe said.

"If they would have just let people know what's going on and what to expect there wouldn't be so many people calling 911," Stowell said.

The county fire marshal's office said it is working with local fire officials to make sure crews at the construction site have the proper permits.

Channel 9 spoke with the fire marshal's office Tuesday afternoon, who said they are still investigating and said crews should have informed neighbors prior to the blast.

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