Wood River, Nebraska – A devastating explosion at a house on East 11th St. in Wood River has left a congregation without a place to worship this weekend. The explosion, which occurred on Saturday morning, completely destroyed the house, although authorities have not yet released any information about the occupants or possible injuries. Thankfully, no injuries were reported from the surrounding homes, although at least six nearby houses suffered damage.
Following the explosion, the Wood River First United Methodist Church announced on their Facebook page that their building had sustained significant damage and would be unable to host weekend services. The pastor suggested congregants attend a service at the Alda Methodist Church instead. In contrast, Pastor Don Pobanz of Grace Lutheran Church noted that despite some damage to their building, they would continue services as scheduled.
Local reporter Andrew Collins described broken windows at nearby homes, including one two blocks away. Residents recounted hearing a loud bang and witnessing windows shattering, with smoke and debris filling the air. The explosion caused the most damage to homes in the area between East and Main streets, with one resident, Shaylee Meister, recalling how the blast woke her from sleep.
Chief Nate Mayhew of Wood River Fire and Rescue advised homeowners in the vicinity to avoid returning to their houses until they were deemed safe. Firefighters from various neighboring areas collaborated to contain the fire resulting from the explosion. Authorities, including the Hall County Sheriff and State Fire Marshal, were on site investigating the incident, but had not released any additional information as of late Saturday.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of the explosion, residents are urged to stay updated on the situation through local news sources. The impact of the explosion reverberates through the neighborhood, highlighting the resilience and support that residents offer one another in times of crisis.