UPDATE: Fire and Explosion Leads to Fatality in Versailles

Indiana State Marshall is Investigation

(Versailles FD Photo)

UPDATE:An explosion at 6158 Benham Road claimed the life of 83-year-old Kenneth Hayes, who was the homeowner, along with his wife, Gladys.

Family members said Kenneth had been working on a project by the garage doors when something went terribly wrong causing an explosion. The explosion ignited the inside of the garage as the doors were open. Firefighters were able to stop the flames from taking the entire house, but there is severe damage whether it be from fire, smoke or water.

Indiana State Fire Marshal Ross Keasling was on the scene Tuesday evening. He didn’t release any information as the fire/explosion was still being investigated.

Versailles Firefighters were dispatched at 16:45 on Tuesday to the 6000 S Block of Benham Road south of Versailles for a report of an explosion and fire. Upon arrival firefighters found a fire outside of the residence had spread into the residence, unfortunately there was a fatality at this fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in their time of loss.

Departments on scene: Versailles Fire Rescue, Friendship VFD, Osgood VFD, Napoleon VFD, Ripley County EMS, Aurora Fire Rescue, the Ripley County Sheriff's Office and the Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office. A special thanks to Sara Liming and Main Street Versailles for the food provided at the station when firefighters returned after almost 6 hours on the scene.