EXPLOSION AND FIRE CLAIMS VICTIM ON NAPOLEON EAST

An explosion rocked the east side of Napoleon Thursday morning, igniting a fire, and led to a fatality.   Napoleon Fire chief Clayton O’Brien reports his fire and rescue squads were called to the Hogrefe Salvage Yard around 11am yesterday, and found a skid loader and three vehicles on fire.  Further investigation led to the discovery of a body near the fire scene.  The victim was deceased; but the name of the victim is not known at this time.  The Henry County Coroner has ordered an autopsy in the case; and the State Fire Marshall’s office is investigating the blaze and explosion.  The flames spread to some brush and trees on the property, keeping crews at the site for nearly 5 hours.  Ridgeville Township supplied mutual aid.   The cause of the explosion is unknown.

And the Liberty Center fire department was dispatched to a grain bin fire Thursday at 1:30pm near the corner of roads 10 and S.   Apparently some corn was drying and caught fire.   Crews were able to empty the grain to help extinguish the flames, and were on the scene for about 4 hours.