Sun Jun 01 08:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Gladstone Home Destroyed by Explosion, One Dead
**GLADSTONE, Mo. (KCTV) -** A devastating explosion ripped through a Gladstone home on Saturday morning, May 31st, leaving one person dead and causing damage to surrounding properties. The blast, reported around 11:20 a.m. near NE 74th Terrace and N Main Street, shook nearby residences and sent smoke billowing into the sky, visible for miles.
“Just a loud boom shook the entire house,” recounted Kevin Henderson-Long, a resident who felt the impact. “I ran outside, saw the smoke and heard all the sirens coming. There was just debris everywhere.”
Initially, some speculated a transformer explosion, but those theories were quickly dismissed. By 2 p.m., the City of Gladstone declared the area secure, but the atmosphere shifted dramatically just before 4 p.m. when the fire chief confirmed a fatality.
Gladstone police reported that neighboring homes sustained damage from the force of the blast, which “completely destroyed” the original residence, according to city officials.
The explosion also impacted local power, initially affecting 87 Evergy customers. By 1:20 p.m., the number was reduced to 76.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Gladstone City Manager Bob Baer announced that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will be involved, following standard protocol.
This is a developing story, and KCTV5 has a crew on the scene providing updates as they become available.
First Piper 