Jeffersonville family clings to hope after house explosion leaves 5 hospitalized

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) — You may remember the dramatic video from about a week ago — a Jeffersonville home exploding with five people inside.

Now, a family friend is sharing updates on the victims’ conditions and their fight to survive.

In a matter of seconds last Wednesday, the Atkinson family’s home — and their world — was destroyed.

"One of the family members had smelled gas and within moments everything was gone," said Alicia Denson, a friend of the family.

Denson said five of the seven people who lived in the home were inside at the time of the explosion. The family has lived in the Jeffersonville home for years.

"They're a very close-knit family," Denson said.

Three of the survivors have been transferred to a recovery unit. But two others are in critical condition with severe burns, and are fighting for their lives.

"All of them are covered in gauze head to toe — severe burns," Denson said.

A neighbor reportedly rushed toward the burning home and pulled some of the victims from the flames. Others managed to crawl out on their own.

One young boy — one of two family members not home that night — started school Monday. Denson said all he has left is a sock and a pair of shoes.

"You've lost your whole life of memories and moments and everything you've experienced in that house is just gone," Denson said.

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

"The fire marshal and CenterPoint have been on scene every day," Denson said.

Despite losing everything, the family is holding onto hope.

"I think they're just trying to hold on to the faith and hoping for a miracle," Denson said.

Doctors are treating all five victims at UofL Hospital’s burn unit. Two are still in critical condition. The other three are in recovery, but loved ones say the road to healing will be long.

If you'd like to donate to the families GoFundMe click here.

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Family who survived CO poisoning linked to gas mix-up uneasy after Jeffersonville home explosion

Jeffersonville home explosion leaves 5 with life-threatening injuries