Crews responded to reports of a house explosion in Claypool. (Photo by Maggie Kenworthy)

1st Sgt. Chad D. Hill
Public Information Officer

CLAYPOOL — One person is dead and another is in critical condition following an afternoon house explosion in southwestern Kosciusko County.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputies and emergency personnel responded today at approximately 3:45 p.m. to a report of a possible house explosion in the 4600 block of south, County Road 450 West, Claypool. The first arriving officer determined that there was massive destruction of the residence, but could hear an individual trapped underneath the rubble.

Fireman from Burket, Claypool, and Warsaw responded and extricated a resident from underneath approximately two feet of debris. He was immediately airlifted from the scene in critical condition and transported to Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Kosciusko County Coroner Anthony Ciriello was summoned to the scene, where a second victim was located deceased, under the carnage. Ciriello stated that the fatality victim was being transported to the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center, Fort Wayne, for examination and determination into the cause of death, with a subsequent autopsy planned.

Kosciusko County investigating officers, along with the coroner, have stated that the names of the two individuals are currently being withheld, pending notification of family members. Fire officials from Burket/Seward Township Fire Department also stated that officials with the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office have been summoned to the scene to assist with the investigation to determine the cause and nature of the explosion. The Kosciusko County Emergency Management, along with Animal Control were also assisting at the scene with investigating officers.