EDEN, N.C. — Police and fire crews are clearing debris after an explosion at a KFC restaurant in Eden 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 Chief of Police, Greg Light, said no one was hurt and no one was inside the restaurant when it happened.
Debris was scattered on the road and adjacent parking lot. Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas were seen there around 3 a.m. ATF was also at the scene along with the State Fire Marshal. Officials flew a drone after daybreak to take a closer look at the debris field.
"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 the area that the explosion shook homes nearby.
If you have photos and videos you can email them to webteam@wfmy.com.
One video shows smoke rising from the remains of the restaurant.
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