Explosion destroys Fort Dodge home

An explosion and fire destroyed a Fort Dodge home on Wednesday — and two people inside escaped unhurt. The blast tore part of the back wall off the two-story frame house. A large section of the wall came to rest near a clothes line pole. The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the state fire marshal’s office. Resident Buddy Phillips and his girlfriend were asleep at the time of the blast — around 3:10 yesterday afternoon. Four children who lived in the home were all at school.