WALWORTH COUNTY, Wis. — The Walworth County Sheriff says a 68-year-old man has died after a home explosion Tuesday. Leland Holden was found in the rubble and airlifted to the hospital where he later died.
The mood out has been quiet and somber in the Town of Lafayette, on the day before the 4th of July holiday. Heavy equipment has been brought to the home as people sort through the debris. Neighbors and people who work nearby are still reeling from a home explosion
“It literally felt almost like an earthquake because it shook the trailer,” said Jackie Brouwer, who owns a fireworks trailer in town.
WATCH: Neighbors react to deadly home explosion that left a man dead in Walworth County
Other people in town who live as far as 12 miles away tell us they also felt their homes shake. But neighbors on Kulow Road where the explosion happened say it was a powerful blast.
“It felt like a bomb went off,” said neighbor Everett Bladow.
“The whole house shook,” said neighbor Diane Riese. “We looked over at the tree line and this cloud of white was there with smoke.”
Neighbors who did not want to go on camera say they rushed over to the home to try to help. One even checked the mailbox to see if Holden, their neighbor, had picked up his mail. When they found it empty they assumed Holden was home and tried to find him until emergency crews arrived and told them to get back.
Crews found Holden in his basement calling for help. It took more than half an hour to get him out of the rubble and airlifted to the hospital where he later died.
“Everyone is pretty close to each other,” said Jackie. “Everyone feels for each other when something like this happens."
The Elkhorn Fire Department says the cause of the explosion is still under investigation and that they are working with the State's Fire Marshall's Office for answers.
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