SECOND UPDATE (12:45 p.m. 12/17/23): HASTINGS, Neb. — Investigators say destructive devices are to blame for a house explosion that claimed a life in Hastings.

Emergency personnel responded to a 9-1-1 call in the 600 block of S Boston Ave. around 3:15 Sunday morning. A city spokesman says secondary explosions were happening when crews arrived on scene, eventually causing the house to collapse.

Investigators say destructive devices were the likely cause of the explosions. According to a news release, crews are working to locate additional destructive devices and explosive material at the site.

The spokesman says crews found the body of an unidentified person in the debris. A neighbor told NCN that a family of three lives in the house and that two of the residents were out of town when the explosion happened.

The Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad is on scene collecting evidence, testing destructive devices and disposing of the devices.

The Hastings Police Department is leading the death investigation with the assistance of the Adams County Attorney’s Office and the coroner.

The news release says authorities will remain on scene for several more hours to secure it and continue investigating.

Devi Dwarabandam lives next door and says he woke up to a loud bang.

“I could see the window was broken,” Dwarabandam said. “I walked out of the house and saw that the side of the house was blown away. Not as much as (it currently is).”

He says he panicked, called 9-1-1 and grabbed some valuables from his home.

“I was closing my door, again there was a second bang," Dwarabandam said. "That second one was also big enough compared to the first one.”

Dwarabandam says he never saw any flames.

“There was no fire, just the bang," Dwarabandam said. "It smelled like gunpowder, like sulfur or something like that. Just like fireworks.”

 

-- First Update -- 

10:50 a.m. Sunday: HASTINGS, Neb - One person is unaccounted for as emergency officials investigate an explosion at a Hastings home.

It happened just around 3:15 Sunday morning in the 600 block of S Boston Ave., which is on the southeast side of town a couple blocks north of the Adams County Fairgrounds. City spokesman Tony Herrman says there are no confirmed injuries but one person who lives in the house is missing.

Devi Dwarabandam lives next door and says he woke up to a loud bang.

“I could see the window was broken,” Dwarabandam said. “I walked out of the house and saw that the side of the house was blown away. Not as much as (it currently is).”

He says he panicked, called 9-1-1 and grabbed some valuables from his home.

“I was closing my door, again there was a second bang," Dwarabandam said. "That second one was also big enough compared to the first one.”

Dwarabandam says he never saw any flames.

“There was no fire, just the bang. It smelled like gunpowder, like sulfur or something like that," Dwarabandam said. "Just like fireworks.”

He talked to emergency responders and is staying with a neighbor across the street until his house is deemed safe.

“There is glass everywhere," Dwarabandam said. "The entire living room, that’s filled with glass pieces right now.”

Dwarabandam says a family lives in the house that was destroyed. Herrman says two people are confirmed to have been gone when the explosion happened and a search is on for the third resident.

Hastings Fire and Rescue is leading the investigation into the explosion. Local officials called in a search team from Lincoln to assist.

 

-- Original Story -- 

HASTINGS, Neb. — One person is unaccounted for as emergency officials investigate an explosion at a Hastings home.

A city spokesman says the explosion happened at 3:17 Sunday morning in the 600 block of S Boston Ave., which is on the southeast side of town a couple blocks north of the Adams County Fairgrounds. The spokesman says there are no confirmed injuries but one person who lives in the house is missing.

A search and rescue team from Lincoln is on the way to the scene. Hastings Fire and Rescue is leading the investigation into the explosion. The damage to neighboring houses is considered minor.

The area is blocked off to traffic and officials urge people to stay away from the area.

Crews from Hastings Fire and Rescue, Hastings Rural Fire, Juniata and Glenvil fire are all on scene. Local emergency management, Hastings Utilities, the Hastings Street Department and the Salvation Army have also responded.