Some sort of explosion destroyed a house and sent all three people inside -- including a 2-year-old girl -- to a local hospital with serious injuries early Tuesday morning, authorities said.
The explosion and fire was reported just after 2 a.m., Fire Marshal Brad Crisp said. Firefighters found the house at 726 N. Minnesota sustaining "heavy fire" when they arrived, he said, and the three family members outside.
The victims -- a 28-year-old man, a 24-year-old woman and a 2-year-old girl -- were taken by ambulance to the burn unit at Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis, where a hospital spokeswoman said they are all in critical condition.
Evidence at the scene indicates some sort of explosion occurred, Crisp said, but investigators still haven't determined what caused it. A Kansas Gas crew is on scene checking gas lines, and also checked underground lines and service lines in the surrounding area.
"They were not able to find anything that would cause us concern," Crisp said.
A fire investigator with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting with the case, he said.
The fire caused an estimated $60,000 in damage, Crisp said, which would make the house a total loss.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
