Aug. 25, 2010

Explosion levels house, kills one
An explosion ripped through a home at 115 S. Park Street in Menno late Monday night, Aug. 23, leveling the structure, killing one and injuring two. The explosion, which could reportedly be heard as far away as Yankton, killed 56-year-old Menno resident Gail Guthmiller, who was in the home at the time. Authorities suspect the cause of the explosion to be natural gas. For more on the incident, watch next week's print edition of the Hutchinson Herald.
PHOTO BY ERIK KAUFMAN



The lot at 115 S. Park Street is now a pile of rubble after an explosion destroyed the home there Monday night, Aug. 23. Gail Guthmiller, who lived at the residence, was killed in the incident. Authorities have said natural gas may be to blame for the explosion.

The house, made mostly of concrete and brick, was completely destroyed by the explosion, sending debris in every direction.

Emergency crews from Menno, Scotland and Freeman responded to the call, which came in about 10:30 p.m. Monday night, Aug. 23.

The house next door suffered considerable damage, with windows blown out on its north side, which faced the Guthmiller home.

Kitchen utensils and other home furnishings could be seen strewn through the wreckage of the home.

The explosion left the house's basement exposed. Hunks of concrete weighing several hundred pounds could be seen half-buried in the yard. Some concrete crashed through the roof of neighboring homes.

A garage next to the destroyed home was pushed off its foundation and collapsed from the force of the explosion.

A view looking to the north northwest. The explosion caused damage to the Aisenbrey-Kostel Funeral Home to the north of the home.

Books and other items could be found throughout the rubble.