Smithville officials have released the name of the man who died in a home explosion in the city last week.
On Monday, Feb. 2, officials announced 71-year-old Scott Ritzinger died inside the home, which exploded at around 6:30 p.m. in the 300 block of East Meadow Street. Fire crews found the home fully engulfed in flames when they arrived on scene.
Fire crews from the Smithville Area Fire Protection District responded, along with mutual aid from Kearney Fire District, Central Platte Fire, Camden Point Fire, Edgerton-Trimble Fire, and the Northland Regional Ambulance District (NRAD). Spire Gas and Evergy responded to the scene as well, to address utility concerns.
The cause of the explosion and fire are not yet known, but Smithville police have reported there is no indication of foul play.