BUTLER COUNTY—Friends have established an online fundraiser the assist the family of two boys who died Saturday in a house explosion and fire in rural Butler County Missouri. The home was a total loss.
Click here to view the online fundraiser
Authorities continue investigating the cause of the fatal home explosion and fire.
Just after 11:30p.m. Saturday, deputies responded to a 911 call of a home explosion and fire, according to the Bates County Sheriff’s Office.
First responders were met with a fully engulfed home. Five people were reported to be living at the residence. Three of the five occupants were able to make it out of the house. Two children both age 2 were not able to be immediately rescued.
Fire units arrived on scene and requested assistance from additional agencies. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful due to the heavy fire in the residence.
Both children were eventually pronounced deceased by the Bates County Coroner on scene. The three people that were able to make it out of the house were transported to the hospital for treatment. The fire is being investigated by the Bates County Sheriffs Office and the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office.