Hall County Emergency Management Agency — At approximately 9:16 a.m. Saturday, a home at 107 East Eleventh Street in Wood River, Neb. exploded. The blast destroyed the home and set fire to an adjacent home.
Several surrounding houses, businesses and structures suffered major damages and nearly two dozen more homes experienced minor damages.
One person was transported to a nearby hospital for minor injuries and released. One occupant of the home at 107 E. Eleventh Street is still unaccounted for at the time of this release.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation by the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s office and is assisted by the Hall County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities believe this was an isolated incident and there is no reason to believe additional incidents may occur.
The Wood River Fire Department led firefighting and search & rescue efforts. They received assistance by neighboring fire departments from Shelton, Cairo, Grand Island Rural Department and Alda. Hall County CERT volunteers provided damage assessment assistance to the surrounding homes and community volunteers assisted neighbors with debris removal as well as boarding up doors and windows.
The City of Wood River also opened an Emergency Operations Center at the Wood River Fire Department where residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
“The residents of Wood River can be very proud of their fire department and the efforts of the entire community in responding to this incident,” Hall County Emergency Management Director Jon Rosenlund said. “I also want to thank the American Red Cross and local partners for assisting the residents affected by this incident.”
Wood River Mayor Greg Cramer declared a local state of emergency for the city. Further questions regarding this incident can be referred to the Wood River Fire Department and the Nebraska Fire Marshal’s Office. For more information, please contact Communications Manager Spencer Schubert at .
