On June 2nd at 3:30pm a propane explosion rocked the town of Crooks, South Dakota.
A broken propane line leading into the house leaked propane into the ground and seeped into the basement while the family was away. When the couple arrived home and found no hot water, the man went to the basement to light the pilot light and the propane blew the house apart.
Only a portion of the garage remained. When the explosion happened, volunteer firefighters were already at the station when the tones went off. They arrived on the scene within 2 minutes to find the house blown apart. Crooks VFD was assisted by Renner, and Lyons VFD and Sioux Falls Fire departments.
A female was blown into the front yard and died at the scene. The male was burnt very badly and air-lifted to the hospital.
It is estimated that the propane was leaking for a week. The shock blew the concrete front steps 4' from the foundation wall.
