OTTUMWA, Iowa – A destructive gas explosion rocked a quiet neighborhood on Asbury Circle just before 7 a.m. Sunday, triggering a swift response from Ottumwa Fire Department crews. The incident left a one-story house engulfed in flames, its front deck demolished and windows shattered.
Firefighters encountered a harrowing scene upon arrival, with heavy fire emanating from the side and rear of the residence. A gas-fed fire roared from the gas meter, amplifying the danger. Quick thinking led to the evacuation of surrounding homes, though gas levels in the vicinity remained fortunately low.
Amidst the chaos, crews observed eerie gas seepage through the asphalt driveway. The arrival of MidAmerican Energy and Alliant Energy teams marked a critical turning point in the situation. MidAmerican Energy technicians tirelessly hunted down the leak’s source as fire crews diligently inspected neighboring properties.
As the meticulous search for answers continued, the State Fire Marshal and MidAmerican Energy planned to converge on the scene Monday to delve deeper into the causes of the catastrophic blast. In a stroke of luck, the home’s occupants, a husband and wife, managed to escape the inferno unscathed, signaling a tale of survival amidst mayhem.