United Group Insurance

Man found dead after explosion in NW Iowa

News

October 31st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

(updated 3:45-a.m. Nov. 1st)

SMITHLAND, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a man who was found dead after an explosion and fire at an old service station in Smithland in western Iowa. Officials say 76-year-old Robert Jones, of Smithland, owned the building. He was found outside the station’s office after the blast late Wednesday morning. Smithland Fire Chief Curt Larson says the cause of the explosion remains under investigation. The state fire marshal’s office is helping to investigate the fire, which gutted the building.

Smithland is in Woodbury County about 40 miles southeast of Sioux City.