RICE LAKE, Minn. — A home was reduced to rubble and two people are hospitalized with significant injuries after an explosion near Duluth early Thursday afternoon.
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says neighbors called 911 shortly after 11 a.m. to report an explosion and fire at a house on the 3700 block of West Tischer Road in the community of Rice Lake. By the time first responders arrived neighbors had pulled two people from the rubble. They are identified as 32-year-old Jadin Dallum and his 31-year-old wife Mandy.
Investigators on the scene told reporters it's believed Jadin was working on the furnace in the home when the explosion occurred.
Both victims suffered severe injuries, with Jadin being airlifted to a Duluth-area hospital and Mandy being transported by ground ambulance. Their three children were at school when the incident occurred, and are reportedly being cared for by grandparents.
Crews from several local departments worked to put down the flames and were on-scene well into the night extinguishing hot spots. Images from the scene showed tankers filling bins with water for pumping, suggesting that there are no hydrants or municipal water in the area.
Investigators from the State Fire Marshal's Office and the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office are working to confirm the cause of the blast.
The home is said to be a total loss.
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