One person has died as a result of a home explosion that occurred in the city of Washington Monday.
Fire Chief Brendan DeLong says that 68-year-old George Carpenter died on Thursday as a result of the explosion that occurred at 1114 East Washington Street around 4 a.m. Monday. Carpenter and one other occupant of the home were transported to University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, and the home was a total loss. DeLong says the incident remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office as a gas explosion, and no further details are available at this time. The Washington and Ainsworth fire departments, Washington Police Department, Washington County Ambulance Service, Washington Public Works, Iowa Department of Transportation, and Alliant Energy responded to the scene. KCII will bring you more information as it becomes official.
Surveillance video of the home explosion on January 4th from resident Mark Waltman.
The first week for Washington’s new fire chief has been a memorable one, with the home explosion that resulted in two injuries Monday.
Fire Chief Brendan DeLong says he felt overwhelmed quickly when he arrived on scene for the house fire that resulted from an explosion at 1114 East Washington Street a little after 4 a.m., but he said that he jumped in and performed his duties as expected. The fire was promptly extinguished by the Washington and Ainsworth fire departments for the explosion that occurred in the north half of the house, and DeLong says the department decided to fully collapse the structure before they left the scene around noon.