A woman died after an explosion completely destroyed and caught fire to her Iowa home.
On Thursday, October 31, 2013, homeowner 72-year-old Mary Louise Appelgate died after an explosion at her home in Tama County Iowa, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety (IDPS). A heating and cooling repair person, 29-year-old David Dewitt was injured in the blast and was taken to an area hospital's burn unit for treatment.
IDPS said that crews were called to the single story home in Gladbrook around 9 a.m. Mrs. Appelgate's body was recovered from the debris. She lived at the home with her husband, who was not home at the time.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the Iowa State Fire Marshal Division and the Gladbrook/Garwin Fire Departments.