TOWN OF LAFAYETTE, Wisc. — A man has died after a house explosion Tuesday afternoon in the Town of Lafayette, according to the Walworth County Sheriff's Office (WCSO.)
The explosion happened at a residence located on Kulow Road in the Town of Lafayette at around 2:18 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2. That’s a few miles west of Alpine Valley between East Troy and Elkhorn.
The only occupant of the structure was Leland R. Holden, 68, who was found in the rubble in the basement and was calling for help. It took them over a half hour to extricate him to safety. He was taken to a local trauma center where he later died, according to WCSO.
VIDEO: Neighbors react to home explosion in rural Walworth County
The Walworth County Communications Center received numerous calls of a structure fire and reports of an explosion at a residence.
“I’m still shaking from it,” said Everett Bladow, who lives down the street. “I’m not settled down from it.”
Walworth County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Elkhorn Fire Department were dispatched.
The explosion caught neighbors completely off guard.
“I’ve heard thunder and lightning strikes but nothing like this,” said Diane Riese, who lives next door. “It just shook the whole house.“
Bladow was inside his home when he was shaken by the loud boom. When he went to investigate, he found debris around his yard.
“I came out,” said Bladow. “There was insulation flying around like it was snow.“
Others on scene told TMJ4 they felt the blast nine miles away.
Elkhorn Area Fire Department Chief Trent Eichmann said that debris blasted 300 feet around the home.
Upon the arrival of Sheriff’s Deputies, they reported a small fire and confirmed an explosion had occurred at the residence.
VIDEO: House explosion in the Town of Lafayette
An investigation continues into what caused the explosion.
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