Vienna: 93-year-old suspected of causing gas explosion to avoid nursing home

A powerful gas explosion ripped through a Vienna neighborhood early Sunday, destroying a family home and injuring nine people. Authorities suspect the blast was intentionally caused by the 93-year-old resident of the destroyed house, who reportedly refused to move into a nursing home.

The explosion occurred shortly after midnight in the Floridsdorf district, shattering windows and damaging parked cars in the vicinity. The 93-year-old resident, who lived alone, was found in the basement of his collapsed home with second-degree burns and is in intensive care under police supervision. He is under arrest on suspicion of intentionally endangering people and property.

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In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that gas pipes were allegedly manipulated in the family home.

Media reports suggest the man was in a two-year dispute with his stepson over leaving his home for a nursing facility. A court hearing on the matter was scheduled for July 8, but the house no longer exists. The exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but authorities are focusing on the alleged manipulation of gas pipes.

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This family argument has been going on for two years.