(Springfield, MO) -- Springfield City officials, along with a spokesman for City Utilities, updated reporters today on the aftermath of a natural gas explosion Thursday that leveled one house and severely damaged several others.   Springfield City Manager Greg Burris said in addition to the house where the blast originated, six other homes are so badly damaged they can no longer be lived in.  Three of those may be repairable, but the other three likely are not.

Burris said the impact of the blast lifted the roof fully off one house and slammed it back down again.  Some homes had damage to electrical infrastructure, including the weatherheads on the outside of the homes, which will have to be repaired before families can move back in.

Springfield Fire Marshal Bill Spence confirmed the primary investigation puts the cause of the blast as a natural gas explosion, ignited by some machinery in the Lee Brown home at 2550 West Chestnut Street. Brown and his wife were not home at the time and were not injured.  "We are very grateful the situation was not worse than it was," said Mayor Jim O'Neal.  Spence says the investigation by the fire department is still ongoing, but inspectors have found no suspicious activity connected to the explosion.

Joel Alexander, spokesman for City Utilities, said CU gas crews had surveyed the main and service gas lines into the Brown home twice Thursday after the explosion, and found no leaks.  Crews also surveyed the lines in the neighborhood again today and found no leaks.  "The integrity and safety of our natural gas delivery system is a top priority," Alexander said.  "If you smell gas, call 9-1-1 immediately," he urged all residents.

Burris said the city may have a loan program available to help homeowners in the area repair or rebuild their homes.  It would involve funding from the federal government.  Burris encouraged property owners in the affected area to call the Neighborhood Conservation Department at City Hall for more information - at 417-864-1695.

Red Cross spokesperson Joann Moore said her agency had helped three families with clothing, temporary shelter and food.  She also encouraged all families to have an emergency plan and put together a kit with water, food, weather radios and other essentials that can be within easy reach during a disaster.

O'Neal also said people who live within a two block area of the blast zone are eligible for Public Works assistance to remove debris from the explosion.

Public Works staff will help by picking up debris only related to the explosion on Monday, November 23 and Monday, November 30.  Call City Hall at 864-1000 to make arrangements.

Click here to watch the City of Springfield's full media briefing.