By Erika Hernandez
Dec 18, 2023, 7:29 PM EST
Authorities reported that this Monday One person found dead after explosion and fire that originated in the early morning hours in a hotel located in the heart of the tourist area related to the Amish of Pennsylvania.
Lancaster County State Police said the explosion was reported shortly after 2:30 a.m. Monday, prompting emergency crews to the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn in the Bird-in-Hand community of county.
Agent James Grothey said, in statements taken by The Associate Press, that arriving rescuers reported heavy fires and smoke, which forced the dispatch of more emergency teams from other towns.
Grothey noted that a person, who has not been identified by authorities at this time, was found dead at the scene. Furthermore, she revealed that A preliminary investigation indicated that the incident “appeared to be a propane explosion.”
John Smucker, owner of the company that manages the business complex that includes the hotel, said there were no guests present as the inn closes the week before Christmas each year for maintenance and repairs.
He added that the explosion, which leveled the main office, was not related to repair work as the inn had just closed and work had not started.
Smucker said the restaurant next door was also damaged and He estimated the total damage between 1 and 2 million dollars.
During the early hours of Sunday, another explosion at a home in Nebraska also left one dead. According to the preliminary investigation, The incident was caused due to the presence of “destructive artifacts.”
Hastings police said in a news release that when emergency crews arrived at the scene after 3:00 a.m. they found secondary explosionswhich caused the house to almost completely collapse.
“Based on initial observations and information obtained early in the investigation, it was determined that the explosions were likely due to destructive devices. He contacted the Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad and Nebraska State Fire Marshal“said the police statement.
Among the rubble of the destroyed house, they found the victim, whose name was not immediately released.
Hastings is a city of about 25,000 people located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Lincoln.
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