One person is dead after an explosion and fire at a senior citizens’ apartment complex in the central Iowa town of Baxter. The blast happened just after 5:30 this morning. Neighbors say the explosion shook their homes.
Four fire departments responded and it took some 90 minutes to contain the blaze. The name of the person killed has not been released, but it was reportedly an elderly woman.
Five other people escaped from the building, which was one of four in the seniors complex. It’s said to be a total loss. The cause of the fire has not been determined and is under investigation.