A sudden, thunderous boom on Tuesday rattled homes along Germantown Road in Olive Branch and left a commercial building heavily damaged, according to residents who live nearby. Neighbors said the blast shook their houses near the state line and drew a rapid response from fire crews and police, even as officials held off on releasing a detailed timeline of what happened.
Neighbors Describe Shock And Shaking
People living near the 8900 block of Germantown Road told WREG the sound "sounded like an explosion" and said they felt the shock inside their homes. One neighbor reported seeing fire and police arrive roughly 15 minutes after the blast. Photos published by the station show severe structural damage to a commercial building just south of the state line, and residents said they stepped outside in confusion to see what had just rocked the block.
Officials Eye Natural Gas Ignition
Authorities believe the blast was likely tied to the ignition of a natural gas device, according to Action News 5. The outlet reported that the damaged structure had been under renovation to house a Southern VIP pain-management clinic and that crews remained on site to investigate. No injuries were reported, and responders worked to secure the area while investigators tried to pinpoint exactly what went wrong.
Clinic Site Still Under Construction
Public listings for Southern VIP show a planned clinic at 8990 Germantown Road, with the property undergoing renovations ahead of an opening, according to the clinic's listing. The address sits within the 8900 block that neighbors identified and appears to match the storefront visible in news photos of the damaged building.
Investigation Continues, Few Answers So Far
Olive Branch fire officials told WREG they did not yet have further information to share about the incident. Local coverage indicated that investigators would keep working the scene to determine what caused the ignition. Officials have not announced any injuries or provided a timeline for when the site might reopen, and more details are expected once investigators and utility crews finish their assessments.
