The Associated Press
JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) -- Two police officers and a resident were hospitalized Tuesday with third-degree burns after a house exploded in Joplin.
The officers were investigating a report of a suicidal man at the house when the explosion occurred, said Lynn Onstot, a spokeswoman for the city of Joplin.
Both officers suffered burns over 40 percent of their bodies, Onstot said. The man has burns over 80 percent of his body, she said. All three, who were not identified, were being treated at a Springfield hospital.
The man was home alone when officers arrived at 10:18 a.m., Onstot said. Two neighboring homes were damaged in the blast, she said.
The state fire marshal’s office was investigating. No other details were immediately available.