Cumberland County deputies responded to the Market Street area in Crab Orchard yesterday for residences sustaining damage reportedly from a blast from a nearby rock quarry. Officers spoke with Elite Blasting Services that told them there were voids and mud seams, which when the explosion took place, expelled rocks and mud from the blast area. Five homeowners on the 700 and 800 block of Market Street reported damage. It is as follows:

• Home on 700 block of Market Street – damage to foundation and chimney.
• Home on 700 block of Market Street – damage in two areas of foundation and to a well on property.
• Home on 800 block of Market Street – damage to roof, camper and scattered rocks and mud throughout property.
• Home on 800 block of Market Street – damage to roof and scattered rocks and mud on property.
• Home on 800 block of Market Street – damage to roof of barn, gutters and structural damage to shed and barn. Scattered rocks and mud on property.

The homeowners told deputies this was not the first time something like this happened. There is a seismograph on one property installed to measure the blasts coming from the quarry because of past issues. The state fire marshal’s office was contacted regarding the incident.

The owner of the quarry offered weather protection to the homeowners with roof damage prior to deputies leaving the scene.