North Sioux City, South Dakota – A tragic house explosion and fire in North Sioux City over the weekend resulted in the loss of two children, including an infant, and an elderly woman. The victims were identified as 1-year-old Ezra Josiah Allen, 8-year-old Keenan Andre Allen, and 75-year-old Sharon Kay Allen, as confirmed by the Union County Emergency Management office in a released statement on Monday.
Emergency responders were alerted to the residential fire at 7 Bancroft Court in North Sioux City at 7:09 a.m. on Saturday. Fire units from various departments, including the North Sioux City fire department, paramedics, and police department, along with assistance from the Sergeant Bluff fire department and Union County authorities, rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the residence fully engulfed in flames.
Tragically, it wasn’t until around 9 a.m. that the bodies of the three victims were discovered inside the burned-down home. A South Dakota fire marshal investigator later determined that the cause of the fire was a propane explosion, shedding light on the tragic incident that claimed the lives of the Allen family members.
In response to the devastating loss, community members have stepped up to offer support to the grieving family. A fundraising account called the “Brittany Allen Donation” has been established at a local bank, where donations can be made to assist the family during this difficult time. Additionally, items such as baby and children’s clothing, personal hygiene products, and other essentials are being collected by the North Sioux City Fire Department to help the family in need.
The generosity and outpouring of support from the community highlight the resilience and compassion of the people in North Sioux City during times of tragedy. As the investigation into the cause of the explosion and fire continues, the focus remains on honoring the memories of the young children and elderly woman who lost their lives in the heartbreaking incident.