LYON COUNTY —Following a joint investigation by the Emporia Fire Department, Emporia Police Department, and the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office, the fire and explosion that occurred June 18 at a home at 1814 E 6th Avenue in Emporia has been determined to be an accidental natural gas explosion originating within the interior of the home, according to city of Emporia spokesperson Christine Torrens.
Just before 5:00 p.m. June 18, emergency crews were dispatched to a report of a house explosion near E 6th Avenue and Weaver Street, according to Torrens. The home had collapsed, and was fully engulfed with fire within minutes.
Around 8:30 pm, emergency workers found the bodies of 78-year-old Darrell Bontrager and 73-year-old Terry Bontrager both of home.