7/30/2024

IRON RIVER – More information has been released from the Michigan State Police on the cause of a February house explosion in Iron River, Michigan that killed a Florida man who had just moved to the U.P.  The explosion killed 80-year-old Gregory Dierkes, demolished the home, and scattering debris as far as three blocks away.    The MSP determined the origin of the explosion was inside the residence and was the result of “human intervention with unknown intent.”  While the investigation report does not identify a specific source of that explosion within the home it did note that the water heater, kitchen stove and furnace were both fueled with natural gas and gas flow rose significantly during the period of time in which the explosion occurred.