A huge explosion and fire gutted a dental office and caused moderate to severe damage to adjoining buildings during the early morning hours in downtown Scottsburg on Thursday, December 27. The explosion occurred some time around 1 a.m. Eventually, three other fire departments joined Scottsburg volunteer firemen in controlling and then dowsing the flames that threatened an adjoining finance office, an overhead apartment and the historic Scott Theater. Debris from the explosion, which preliminary reports say was caused by a faulty furnace in the dental office, littered Wardell Street directly in front of the commercial block. Investigators with the local fire department and State Fire Marshal's Office were awaiting confirmation on Thursday afternoon that the building was structurally sound before entering it to continue their efforts.