LEXINGTON, Missouri – Following a tragic house explosion in Lexington, Missouri, the CEO of the construction company involved expressed deep sorrow and emphasized that the subcontractor had followed all necessary procedures before, during, and after the incident. The explosion resulted in the death of a 5-year-old boy and left a father and a 10-year-old girl critically injured, prompting an outpouring of support and sympathy from the community.
Sellenriek Construction CEO Steve Sellenriek conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and underscored the company’s commitment to cooperate fully with the authorities in their investigation. The company is actively engaged in providing any information required to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic event, striving for a comprehensive understanding of the facts.
Preliminary information indicates that a subcontractor accidentally struck an unmarked underground gas line while installing a fiber optic cable. Despite following all necessary procedures, including alerting Missouri 811 beforehand to identify underground utilities, the unforeseen accident occurred. Immediate action was taken by alerting emergency responders and relevant utilities, demonstrating the subcontractor’s swift response in the face of adversity.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is in the process of inspecting three companies that were present at the site of the explosion. OSHA, with a timeline of six months for the inspection, will withhold any updates until the investigation is completed. Sellenriek affirmed the company’s unwavering support for the ongoing investigation and the community impacted by the tragic event.