TOWN OF LEBANON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – UPDATE: Officials have identified the victim as 64-year-old Mark Zielke.
TOWN OF LEBANON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Family members in the Waupaca County community of Manawa are in recovery mode after a deadly explosion destroyed their home early Sunday morning.
One man died in the blast and authorities are looking for answers.
Debris litters the road at the intersection of Waupaca County Highways T and N. Neighbor Justin Wepner tells FOX 11 he heard the blast before 9 a.m.
“My brother and I went up to investigate what it was. And it was our neighbor up the road. The house completely exploded. Nothing left of it. Just completely sad. Unbelievable.”
Firefighters say when they arrived there was a small fire inside the house, but little else was standing. They say the blast sent debris hundreds of feet into the air and damaged some buildings nearby.
Chief Rob Rosenau, Manawa Rural Fire Department, tells FOX 11 he’s never seen anything like it.
“Only on TV. We were always hoping that’s not in our area, but unfortunately, we have it in our area today.”
Rosenau says after about five hours, firefighters found the man inside the house.
Waupaca County Sheriff Tim Wilz says the man may have been sleeping when the blast occurred.
“Right now we’re going to secure the area for 24 hours. The Fire Marshal and his team are right now done with the initial. However, the insurance companies will have their own team of investigators as well.”
And as supporters gathered at the scene, friends say they know the recovery process is just beginning.
“Yes. A neighbor, family, friends. Grew up with the kids. Went to school with one of them. Gave my condolences. Seen them. Scary,” said Wepner.
No one else was hurt in the explosion. In all about 50 personnel from area departments were on the scene. The investigation into the blast continues.
