WILLIAMSBURG - Police suspect a gas stove caused a house explosion that killed two in Callaway County Saturday afternoon.
20-year-old Amber Smith and her four-month-old son Simon were killed in the explosion. Monday officials dug through the rubble searching for a cause. They can't officially say what caused the explosion but the Callaway County Sheriff says it appears propane for a gas stove was a factor.
The explosion happened on Country Road 142 in Williamsburg around 4 p.m. on Saturday. Michael Roever made the 911 call. Roever said he heard the explosion and saw a 50 foot fireball explode from the house.
Police and firefighters were dispatched to the scene to find the house totally demolished. Roever was first on the scene and said he found "a house completely flattened and if anyone was there, no one was going to be alive."
"No foul play is suspected but we're working with the State Fire Marshal's Office to determine that exact cause," Callaway County Sergeant Clay Chism said.
Autopsies of the two victims showed no indication of foul play, reaffirming what officials already believed.
Delbert Smith was gone at the time of the explosion and told officials his wife was getting ready to make supper when he left. Callaway County Sheriff Dennis Crane said that statement lines up with where the damage seemed to originate.
Family, friends and neighbors said Smith is relying heavily on his faith, family, and church to get through this.