On the morning of Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 6:15 a.m. tragedy struck our family when our grandparents house exploded with them inside. Located at 279 Pleasure Drive the sound was so loud that it was heard five miles away inside Zavalla city limits.
Lyle and Elaine West, who had been married 64 years, were both inside the house when it exploded by what is believed to have been a propane explosion.
Neighbors told first responders that they heard a loud explosion and people yelling. When they looked outside, there was a pile of rubble where the West’s house once stood. They ran to help the couple and stayed with them until help arrived. The force of the blast damaged neighboring homes and scattered debris in a 400-foot radius from the scene.
Elaine West, 83, was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Lufkin where she was listed in fair condition and is now in rehab working to fully recover. Lyle West, 82, was airlifted to Parkland Hospital in Dallas where he passed away from his injuries.
Lyle worked for NASA until he retired and Elaine worked for Regions Bank until she retired. I would like to personally thank the community for their continued support. The employees of Home Depot, the Family Crisis Center, Blueberry Bogg, Colemans, Dede Donuts in Zavalla, Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church, First Baptist Church and various community members for their voluteering and donations of all kinds.
We are starting a new journey and we appreciate all of the continued prayers and support during our time of tragedy and loss. We give many heartfelt thanks