Six Injured in Early Morning House Explosion in Jefferson City
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A dramatic incident unfolded early Saturday morning when a house exploded on St. Louis Road, injuring six people. Emergency services responded to the scene around 2:45 a.m., following reports from startled neighbors who were awakened by the loud blast.
Donovan Bard, a nearby resident, described the moment the explosion occurred. “It was about 2:30 in the morning. I just heard a loud bang, sounded like a bomb went off,” Bard said, sharing the shock felt by many in the community. Another local resident, Sandra Kornrumpf, also reflected on the moment. “I couldn’t see anything was wrong. So, I went back to bed. Well, no actually, I laid down in bed. Then I saw a fire truck go by. I thought maybe it was a wreck or maybe something happened at somebody’s house,” Kornrumpf explained.
Victims and Medical Response
At the time of the explosion, six people were inside the house, according to Cole County EMS Chief Eric Hoy. Of those, two were airlifted to the University Hospital due to the severity of their injuries. The other four were transported by ambulance. Reports indicate that three of the victims are in critical condition and are receiving critical life support, while the remaining three have moderate injuries and are currently stable.
First responders arrived at the scene to find multiple victims in urgent need of care. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) crews provided critical support, including administering CyanoKits to those affected. Eric Hoy emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “This is certainly something out of the usual for us, especially to have this many victims involved. So, this is a pretty significant event for this community.”
Rescue Operations and Community Impact
Witnesses at the scene described a chaotic and tense atmosphere. An ABC 17 News reporter observed smoke billowing into the air as firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish any remaining flames and search through the debris. The explosion caused significant damage, scattering debris across nearby yards and the road.
Due to the home collapsing and the volume of debris, rescue operations proved challenging for first responders. The Fire Department’s Special Operations Rescue Team sifted through layers of wreckage for roughly three hours to ensure all individuals were accounted for. Eventually, all residents were safely evacuated, and two pets were also rescued and placed under the care of animal control.
Emergency Response Team Efforts
A total of 37 EMS and fire personnel were involved in the emergency response, which included nine life support ambulances, three Chief Officers, and three medical helicopters. An excavator provided by Jefferson City Public Works assisted in the rescue efforts. Aid came from several neighboring agencies, including Osage, Callaway, the Mid-Mo Ambulance Districts, MU Air Medical, Mercy LifeLine, and AirEvac Lifeteam.
At around 4:10 a.m., multiple emergency vehicles were visible in the area including five Cole County EMS ambulances, Cole County EMS vehicles, Jefferson City Police, and several fire department engines. One individual was witnessed being loaded into an ambulance for urgent medical attention.
Investigation into Cause
The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation, with authorities working diligently to determine the factors that led to this tragic incident. Community members are left shaken, as this event is something they never expected to experience.
As more information becomes available, the community of Jefferson City is coming together to support those affected by the explosion. Many residents are left with questions and concerns about the safety and well-being of their neighborhood.
