Investigators have pinpointed the cause of a weekend explosion in southwest Iowa’s Audubon County. According to his neighbors, the explosion at the Mike Wede residence, located one-mile southwest of Gray, sent pieces of metal hurtling one-quarter of a mile away.  The explosion occurred at around 1:30 AM Sunday.

 Officials with the State Fire Marshal’s office say the source of the explosion was an L-P tank. The force of the explosion lifted the home  at 1212 Falcon Avenue off the foundation and blew out the windows, causing an estimated $150,000 damage. The machine shed was valued at $100,000 and was a complete loss. The blast could be heard up to six miles away.

Five people were in the home at the time. One of the occupants was taken to the hospital suffering from minor injuries caused by shattered glass. The incident is still under investigation by the Fire Marshal and Audubon County Sheriff’s Department. 

Audio: Ric Hanson report. :41 MP3