"Oh my God! It just blew up!" 911 calls released after fatal explosion, fire in Burlington
BURLINGTON -- For the fourth straight day, investigators on Tuesday, May 17th were out at the scene of an explosion and fire that happened Saturday, May 14th on Ketterhagen Road in Burlington. On Tuesday, we were able to get a better idea of just how bad the fire and explosion were, through the 911 calls that have now been released.
911 Caller: "Oh my God! It just blew up! Oh my God!"
Explosion, fire at home on Ketterhagen Road in Burlington
You can hear panic in the voices of those who first saw the flames that reduced the home on Ketterhagen Road to rubble on Saturday -- and took at least two lives.
911 Caller: "Oh my gosh! It blew up! I don't even know if there's any house left. It just -- it blew up like, right when I was talking to you"
The callers described flames engulfing a two-story farmhouse.
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911 Caller: "As we were driving by, we just saw the flames and a lot of smoke coming out. Flames were coming out the windows."
An explosion followed the fire. It was powerful enough to be felt down the street.
911 Caller: "There's a fire that's close to my house. It shook my house and then I looked outside and it is in flames."
Explosion, fire at home on Ketterhagen Road in Burlington
Two bodies were recovered from the scene.
Investigators continue to work to determine whether there was a third person inside the home at the time.
"My efforts have shifted to trying to locate this alleged third victim to bring closure to his or her family and also to determine the cause and origin of this fire and why it exploded," Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said.
Explosion, fire at home on Ketterhagen Road in Burlington
Schmaling said investigators continue to comb the scene for clues. The hope is that by the end of the week, they'll have a better idea of what exactly happened, and who was in the home at the time.
For now, Schmaling said the fire and explosion are being considered suspicious.
Explosion, fire at home on Ketterhagen Road in Burlington
Officials with the Racine County Medical Examiner's Office say autopsies have been completed on the two recovered victims. We're told dental records or DNA will be used to identify them -- a process that could take awhile.
Explosion, fire at home on Ketterhagen Road in Burlington