Emporia, KS- A woman was identified Friday as the victim of an explosion that destroyed a rural house, authorities said.
An autopsy determined Geraldine Richard died from injuries sustained in the blast, the Emporia Fire Department said in a news release. No other details about the victim were immediately released.
The department received a call Thursday afternoon about an explosion at the single-story house about six miles southwest of Emporia. When crews arrived, the house was engulfed in flames.
Fire officials suspect the explosion occurred when the furnace ignited propane that had leaked into the home. But they were unable to determine an exact cause, ruling it undetermined and accidental in nature.