Two die in home explosion and fire

STELLA, Mo. -- Two people died and another was injured Friday night during an explosion and house fire, authorities said.

The blast Friday night killed Gary English of Granby and Terry Pichenor, who lived in the Newton County home. Their ages were not immediately available.

Pichenor's wife was treated and released at Freeman Health System in Joplin, an emergency room worker said.

The home, which was in a rural area three miles west of Stella, was destroyed, said Sgt. Richard Leavens, of the Newton County sheriff's department.

Leavens said he suspects the cause of the accident was a propane leak. Just a few hours before the explosion, a 100-pound tank had been taken to be filled and returned to the home.