JACKSON COUNTY—Authorities investigating the fatal home explosion and fire in rural Jackson County say propane caused the disaster, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.
Just after 6p.m. May 10, callers notified the Jackson County Sheriff's office of a large explosion that could be heard over 10 miles away, according to Morse.
Rescue units responded to the residence located at 27284 Q.4 Road three miles north of Holton or Âľ of a mile northeast of Jackson Heights School. First responders found the home to be completely leveled and on fire.
Deputies located an injured woman outside the residence. She was was airlifted to a Kansas City hospital with serious injuries, according to Morse.
Responders later located a man dead outside the residence. He was identified as 61-year-old Billy "Lu" Griffiths of Holton. It is believed that the home owners had been working on remodeling the residence, according to Morse.
On Friday, an area around the residence was excavated to allow officials to investigate. According to Morse, the explosion was not the result of a criminal act. A large amount of propane is believed to be missing from the propane tank, which potentially leaked into the residence.
It is believed that an unidentifiable leak occurred inside the residence. Little to no part of the residence remains intact. This makes the investigation even more challenging.
Officials do not k unknown what source ignited the explosion Both victims were inside the residence at the time of the explosion.
The body of Billy "Lu" Griffiths of Holton underwent an autopsy, and investigators will be reviewing those results when they become available, according to Morse. Further testing and investigation is expected to be conducted by the home owner’s insurance company.
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JACKSON COUNTY—A Kansas man died in a home explosion Monday in rural Jackson County.
Just after 6p.m., callers notified the Jackson County Sheriff's office of a large explosion that could be heard over 10 miles away, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.
Rescue units responded to the residence located at 27284 Q.4 Road three miles north of Holton or Âľ of a mile northeast of Jackson Heights School.
First responders found the home to be completely leveled and on fire.
Deputies located an injured woman outside the residence. She was was airlifted to a Kansas City hospital with serious injuries, according to Morse.
Responders later located a man dead outside the residence. He was identified as 61-year-old Billy "Lu" Griffiths of Holton. It is believed that the home owners had been working on remodeling the residence, according to Morse.
The Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office and Jackson County Sheriff's office are working to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
The incident remains under investigation by the Kansas State Fire Marshal and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.