Authorities said a mysterious explosion damaged a Missouri home Saturday morning, causing six people to be retrieved alive from the debris.
According to a statement from the Jefferson City Fire Department, all six were transported to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, with moderate to severe injuries after reportedly being inside the Jefferson City residence when it erupted.
According to the department, several of the six received on-site treatment for smoke inhalation. Two of them were in such poor condition that they were flown to the trauma department at University Hospital for a quicker journey.
Half of the patients needed life-saving care, said to Eric Hoy, the underlying Cole County emergency medical services chief.
“Three of them were in critical condition and required extensive life support procedures,” he stated to KOMU.
A request for an update on the patients on Saturday nights was not immediately answered by hospital representatives. Ages and genders were not available.
According to the municipal fire department, first responders were summoned to investigate a complaint of an explosion at a house in an area close to the Missouri River at 2:44 a.m. It stated that they quickly learned the house had fallen.
The house appeared to be twisted, crushed, and, in some places, almost flattened on snow-covered ground in footage taken during the day.
According to the statement, the Special Operations Rescue Team of the Jefferson City Fire Department was called in to assist in removing casualties from the debris.
“Rescue operations were particularly challenging due to the extensive structural collapse and significant debris,” the fire department stated.
Along with the assistance of 37 firefighters on the scene, Jefferson City Fire Department assistant chief and spokesperson Jake Holee said the department was fortunate to have the appropriate equipment available.
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“We’re real thankful we have that equipment, and we spend the time training,” he stated.
To extract at least one of the six, rescuers had to burrow under several levels of debris, according to the department. According to the department, it took over three hours to remove all six and rescue two pets that were given to animal control officials.
Investigations were underway to determine the cause of the explosion. The state capital, Jefferson, is located roughly 133 miles west of St. Louis.
