A house explosion near Fort Pierre, South Dakota, on Wednesday killed two grandparents and their 6-month-old granddaughter, and injured two young boys.
The explosion happened at a home along South Dakota Highway 1806 in Stanley County. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but foul play is not suspected.
The victims were identified as Ladonna Hupp, 61, William “Bill” Hupp, 66, and Harper Hupp, 6 months. The two boys, 5-year-old Myles and 3-year-old Royce, were airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, with burns.
Myles has burns on 10% of his body, mainly first- and second-degree. Royce has 25% of his body burned with more severe third-degree burns on his chest and arms.
The boys’ parents, Kelsey and Trevor Hupp, were at work in town at the time of the explosion. They have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for medical expenses and other costs.
The community has rallied around the Hupp family, and a number of fundraisers have been organized. A candlelight vigil will be held on Friday evening at the Fort Pierre City Park.
The explosion has shaken the small town of Fort Pierre, which has a population of about 10,000 people. Mayor Gloria Hanson said the community is “heartbroken” by the tragedy.
“This is a close-knit community, and we are all pulling together to support the Hupp family,” Hanson said. “We are praying for their recovery.”