(Mallard)– A Mallard woman remains hospitalized following a house explosion earlier this week.
According to the State Fire Marshall’s Office, the blast occurred around 10:30 p.m. Monday at the home of Jean Jones at 4646 Highway Four, about two miles north of Mallard.
Jean Jones was at home at the time of the explosion. An individual driving by the scene took Jones to the Palo Alto County Hospital before firefighters arrived. Another passerby called 9-1-1 to report the explosion.
When they responded, Mallard firefighters could see the glow of the fire from town. They arrived at the scene to find the house completely engulfed in flames.
Jean Jones has been transferred to a Sioux Falls hospital for treatment of burns.
Her home and all of its contents are considered a total loss.
A preliminary investigation by the State Fire Marshall’s Office is pointing to a propane leak inside the home as the cause of the explosion.
The investigation continues.
(Story from Danielle Hitchings of sister station KDWD Hot 100 in Spencer.).
