BLAST RIPS OUT WALL OF EGYPT RIDGE HOUSE - Investigators Will Decide Cause Of Man's Death

(11/30/2004)

Explosion blasts pieces of wall against outbuilding, with propane tanks resting in debris Blast curls edges of tin roof above hole Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the cause of a house explosion that was connected to the death of 69-year-old Ralph Schwendler of Egypt Ridge, Roane County. Schwendler's body was reportedly discovered on a kitchen floor after a large explosion knocked-out the rear wall of his one-story rural dwelling. His remains have been taken to the State Medical Examiner's office for an autopsy. Authorities have not released the cause of the explosion which left a gaping hole in the dwelling, sending boards across a yard and curling the edges of a tin roof. The State Fire Marshal was called to the scene. Propane tanks appeared to be in tact, and there was no fire following the blast. The Spencer-Roane VFD and other emergency services responded to the scene at 5:30 p.m. Sunday about seven miles east of Spencer. Deputy State Fire Marshal Reed Cook says it appears that some type of explosive material accidentally detonated. Fire officials took debris samples yesterday to determine what kind of explosive material was present. Cook says blasting caps that could be used for dynamite were found at the scene, but that no dynamite was found there The Spencer-Roane VFD and other emergency services responded to the scene at 5:30 p.m. Sunday about seven miles east of Spencer. First reports said the dwelling was on fire, but a source at the scene told the Herald there was no blaze. "The blast shook the neighborhood," he said. "The electric was still on and the propane tank was still OK." The victim, who lived by himself except for an occasional caregiver, had reportedly been in poor health. The Egypt Ridge house is on a connecter road between US 33-119 (Bower's Hill) and the West Fork of the LK near Rocksdale in Calhoun County.

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