One dead after house explosion in Maries County

MARIES COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman has died after a house explosion early Friday in Maries County.

Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman said Shelby Jane Snitker, 79, died of her injuries Friday. She was flown to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis after the explosion with severe burns.

The Maries County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post early Friday morning that the explosion was reported on Highway 28, about a half-mile away from the Kingsford entrance.

Sheriff's deputies responded to the incident, along with crews from the Belle Fire Protection District, Vichy Volunteer Fire Department, Bland Fire Protection District, Owensville Fire Department and Vienna Fire Protection District.

A spokesperson for Missouri's Division of Fire Safety said the department has started investigating but did not provide details about the incident.

According to the sheriff's office, the area is blocked off to the public while the Missouri State Fire Marshal investigates.

The Facebook post said updates will be posted once the investigation is complete.