Racine explosion, fire at duplex; 2 sent to hospital

RACINE, Wis. - Racine investigators are working to pinpoint the exact cause of a home explosion on Tuesday.

Explosion and fire

What we know:

The blast at the home on Gilson Street on Tuesday night, Feb. 18, in Racine put two people in the hospital. Neighbors say the explosion happened the same day a stove was delivered and installed to the side-by-side duplex.

John Lapoint said his brother Tim Lapoint and niece Michelle Haws lived in the home. Paramedics rushed both to the hospital.

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When asked if the stove or gas could have played a role in the explosion,– the Racine Fire Department said the cause remains under investigation. 

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Racine explosion and fire at duplex; neighbors heard loud "boom"

Racine firefighters responded Tuesday evening, Feb. 18 to an explosion and fire in a side-by-side duplex on Gilson Street.

Family responds

What they're saying:

"We were up there last night with them and early this morning," John Lapoint said. "Neither one of them could talk to us."

"Michelle’s face is really bad. 30% of her body is burned," Kim Lapoint said. "Tim, he’s okay."

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Shortly after the explosion, neighbors jumped into action.

"I heard screaming from the inside," neighbor Tyler Lau said. "I saw [Haws] and I pulled her out of the window. I dragged her all the way until the street here. I looked back at the house and it’s just completely engulfed in flames. The outcome could have been a lot different."

Seeking a cause

What's next:

The cause of the explosion and fire is under investigation. It caused $200,000 in damage to the duplex, and an unknown amount of damage to surrounding homes and buildings.

What you can do:

An Amazon Wish List has been set up to help the family.