Two individuals are deceased following an explosion that destroyed a home in east Emporia late Wednesday afternoon.
According to a news release from the City of Emporia, emergency responders discovered two bodies in the debris of the home at 1814 East Sixth Avenue around 8:30 pm. Authorities are awaiting positive identification before announcing the names of the individuals.
The discovery of the bodies came nearly four hours after the explosion, which was reported just before 5 pm, leading local emergency responders to converge on the area rapidly. A preliminary investigation points to an accidental cause; however, the investigation is still ongoing through the Emporia Fire Department with assistance from the Office of the Kansas Fire Marshall.
KVOE News will continue to provide updates as they are made available.
10:34 pm Wednesday
Investigators continue piecing together how a home exploded in east Emporia late Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency responders and law enforcement rapidly converged in the 1800 block of East Sixth after initial calls just before 5 pm. Emporia Fire says it noticed a collapsed home heavily involved in flames as they arrived. The home’s roof was brought down to near ground level, while thick smoke from the incident blew north across US Highway 50, causing zero visibility at times before it dissipated around 5:30 pm. Firefighters limited the blaze to the structure and there is no apparent fire damage to nearby homes or garages.
There is no official confirmation yet on the address, a potential cause or whether anyone was inside at the time of the incident.
Numerous agencies responded, with initial presence from Emporia Fire, Emporia Police, Lyon County deputies, Hartford-Neosho Rapids Fire and Olpe Fire. The Office of Kansas State Fire Marshal is also part of the investigative effort. Support has also been provided by Evergy, Kansas Gas and Emporia Public Works.
The explosion shook homes at least four blocks away. As firefighters searched for hot spots, they were careful not to move any items on site initially due to concerns about a possible secondary explosion. Those concerns diminished over time, with excavation and evidence removal beginning shortly before 8:30 pm.
5:30 pm Wednesday: Emergency crews responding to house explosion in 1800 block of East Sixth Avenue
Full details are pending, however, local authorities have confirmed a house explosion in east Emporia late Wednesday afternoon.
According to Emporia Police Chief Ed Owens, the explosion occurred just before 5 pm in the area of 6th and Weaver. Early indications are that the home is a total loss.
There is no word yet on potential injuries. KVOE News will continue to provide updates as they develop.
Residents are asked to avoid the area until further notice as crews remain on site. Kansas Gas has been called in for assistance; however, the potential cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.
Emporia Police and Emporia Fire were the first agencies on scene and were later joined by fire fighters from Hartford Neosho Rapids as well as Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputies.
