© Jeff Schrier/MLive
Jova Chapman was at work when her Richland Township home exploded Friday, March 25.
Her husband, Billy Chapman, their three sons and two nephews were all there, but they survived
the afternoon blast that leveled the house her family had lived in for the past six years.
"My husband said he heard a boom," said the 30-year-old Chapman. "He went to get up and see what it was, and next thing he knew, it felt like he was 30 feet in the air. ... When he came to, he heard all the kids screaming."He said it's the worst thing you can imagine."
Neighbor kids ran over and helped locate the boys, Chapman said. The family dog, a golden Labrador named Buddy, is credited with finding one of them, she said.
© Jeff Schrier/MLive
© MSP
The Chapmans' 11-year-old nephew was in a medically induced coma as of about 1:45 p.m. Monday, Jova Chapman said. Her husband, 32, suffered multiple broken bones, she said.
Chapman said all three of their sons were in stable condition Monday afternoon. Their 5-year-old son suffered fractures to his pelvis and back and possible broken bones in his face. Their 4-year-old son has a lacerated liver, and their 10-year-old son underwent a second leg surgery Monday. Their 14-year-old nephew also suffered broken bones and was in stable condition, Chapman said. The Chapmans also have two daughters who were not home when the explosion occurred.
It's unclear what caused the explosion Friday afternoon. The
Saginaw News on Monday could not immediately reach Richland Township Fire Department Chief Mike Morse for comment.
Comment: Would a mosque and Muslim worshippers be given the same rights and protections to have unregistered, non-permitted, concealed weapons without accountability as will the Mississippi gun-toting Christian 'Soldiers for God' in the guise of armed security? Or would they be considered terrorists...