Excelsior Springs neighborhood shocked by deadly house explosion

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Missouri (KCTV) – Two people and a dog were killed in a house explosion on Friday, coming as a shock to many who live just a few feet away.

Many residents tell KCTV5 that this Excelsior Springs neighborhood on the corner of Kimberly Dr. and Gabe-Travis Circle is quiet and they know their neighbors.

Gary Gooch was awakened by the loud bang early Friday morning.

“I thought a plane had crashed or someone had driven a car into my house,” said Gary Gooch, who lives just a few houses down the street. He immediately stood up.

“I jumped on my ATV and ran over there because I saw the fire,” Gooch said. He added: “All the neighbors were in the street and stuff, and I walked down the driveway a little way and yelled and asked if anyone was there, but I got no answer.”

Claudia Baxley has lived in the area since 1988. She was awakened by the loud explosion.

“It was so abrupt that we thought they had run out of time, for them it was probably just bingo that was lost,” said Claudia Baxley, who lives nearby.

Robert Zelinski built his house right next to the house 35 years ago.

“One minute they’re here, the next they’re gone,” said neighbor Robert Zelinski, adding, “It’s hard to believe.”

He has had these two neighbors for about 25 years.

“They built this house after I built mine,” Zelinski said.

He said they were good neighbors, people you know, wave to and chat with.

“I always offer pears to everyone. I recently offered them pears,” Zelinski said.

The explosion woke Zelinski and knocked him out.

“I thought it was thunder,” Zelinski said.

When it got light, he went outside and saw that his neighbor’s house had disappeared.

“I didn’t know what to believe. You look out the door and see all this,” Zelinski said.

Papers, bills, family photos; memories scattered in his yard, in the trees and in the neighborhood.

“As you can see, this is a huge mess, yes, quite a thing,” Zelinski said.

So many have expressed their condolences and are still trying to understand how something like this could have happened. One person came to pick up the photos and give them to the family. He said he wanted to help in any way he could.

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Neighbors released the names of the two dead, but KCTV5 is still waiting for confirmation from police.

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