JACKSON COUNTY—A Kansas man died in a home explosion Monday in rural Jackson County.
Just after 6p.m., callers notified the Jackson County Sheriff's office of a large explosion that could be heard over 10 miles away, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.
Rescue units responded to the residence located at 27284 Q.4 Road three miles north of Holton or ¾ of a mile northeast of Jackson Heights School.
First responders found the home to be completely leveled and on fire.
Deputies located an injured woman outside the residence. She was was airlifted to a Kansas City hospital with serious injuries, according to Morse.
Responders later located a man dead outside the residence. He was identified as 61-year-old Billy "Lu" Griffiths of Holton. It is believed that the home owners had been working on remodeling the residence, according to Morse.
The Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office and Jackson County Sheriff's office are working to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
The incident remains under investigation by the Kansas State Fire Marshal and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.