Man’s body was discovered during a search after a house explosion

DUBOIS CO. – Authorities in Dubois County say they’ve recovered a body after Monday’s house explosion

Police and firefighters from Dubois, Lost River, and French Lick Volunteer Fire Department responded to the explosion on North Hillham Road, about six miles southwest of French Lick.

Tuesday morning, officials with the Department of Homeland Security reported a body had been discovered during search and recovery efforts for a reported missing man.

Officials now confirm the explosion happened after gas built up in the home.

The identity of the person has not been released.

According to police, the home was leveled and debris was strewn for hundreds of yards around the property, landing on the county road. A large portion of the structure collapsed into the home’s basement. A detached garage engulfed in flames.

According to the Lost River Township Fire Department, the blast damaged homes a half-mile away, including blown-out windows.

Firefighters were on the scene for more than three hours, extinguishing fires started by the explosion.