The Associated Press

GHENT, W.VA. — One man says he thought the area around a West Virginia ski resort had been hit by lightning.

At least four people, including a firefighter and a paramedic, have been killed by an explosion that leveled a gas station and convenience store. Authorities say at least five others are hurt.

The blast that could be felt at least a mile away happened just as a fire truck was pulling into the station to investigate the report of a gas leak. The state fire marshal says an above-ground tank capable of holding 500 pounds of propane was being worked on, and something may have ignited the fumes.

All that's left of the building near Ghent, southeast of Charleston, is a debris pile, some twisted metal and a sign showing the price of gasoline.