(Ripley County, IN) – We now know a bit more about Tuesday night’s fatal explosion and house fire in Shelby Township.
The New Marion Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched around 9:11 p.m. to the 3,000 block of West County Road 350 South on a report of a structure fire possibly caused by an explosion, with someone trapped in the debris.
Arriving firefighters discovered the house had collapsed and what was left of it was in flames.
Mutual aid was immediately requested from Versailles Fire Rescue and the Osgood and Napoleon fire departments to provide additional manpower and water-shuttling to support firefighting efforts, due to the lack of hydrants in the area.
Firefighting operations continued into the early morning hours on Wednesday.
The name of the person who died has not been released.
The incident remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, whose investigators were on the scene throughout the early morning hours along with fire personnel.
“The New Marion Volunteer Fire Department extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic incident. We respectfully ask the community to keep them in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” firefighters wrote in a statement. “We also ask that the family’s privacy be respected as they navigate this unimaginable loss. Out of respect for the family and the ongoing investigation, no additional information regarding the individual will be released at this time.’
Related story: One Dead in Ripley Co Explosion, Fire
