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Man Imprisoned For 2009 Pa. Blast Dies

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) — A northeastern Pennsylvania man who pleaded guilty to sparking an explosion that damaged 59 properties and injured two teenage girls has died in prison.

State prison officials say 47-year-old David Lamoreaux died early Saturday at the state prison in Rockview, Centre County.

County coroner Scott Sayers said Thursday that Lamoreaux died of cancer.

Lamoreaux was sentenced to eight to 16 years after pleading guilty in Luzerne County to arson and causing a catastrophe in the August 2009 explosion in Exeter.

Prosecutors said Lamoreaux wanted to kill himself and tried to lure his estranged wife into the home.

The blast damaged 55 homes, three businesses and a school. Lamoreaux was also left with severe burns requiring months of treatment.

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