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Council Bluffs explosion victim identified

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January 5th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Council Bluffs Fire Department today (Thursday), identified a man who died as the result of an explosion that occurred late Tuesday morning. 56-year-old Martin Desomma died, when a compressed natural gas cylinder exploded in a garage near Avenue G and North 35th Street.  Authorities said an autopsy will be performed as part of the investigation. According to the fire department, there are no indications that the explosion was caused by a gas leak from the utilities at the property.

Council Bluffs police said Desomma was cutting the tank, resulting in a gas explosion. Two additional compressed natural gas containers were removed from the property “as a safety precaution.”