Man Seriously Injured When House Exploded

Authorities are trying to determine the cause of a house explosion Thursday afternoon (Aug. 6), that put a man in the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Shortly after 2pm Thursday, emergency crews from numerous agencies were called out to 5902 Rogers Road NW, just northwest of Cedar Rapids, on the report of an explosion.

An initial investigation determined that 24 year old Joshua Thomas of Marion, had been working on the property, when the blast occurred. Thomas was the only one at the residence at the time.

Thomas was airlifted to University Hospitals in Iowa City, with life-threatening injuries.

The incident remains under investigation, however authorities indicate that the source of the blast was natural gas or propane.