Investigation underway into deadly Tremont house explosion

TREMONT, Miss. (WCBI) – A Tremont man is clinging to life after his home exploded, leaving his wife dead and investigators trying to find out what sparked the explosion.

Neighbors called 911 Wednesday night around 7:40 after hearing a loud explosion on State Line Road in Tremont.

Firefighters found the home of Wendell and Sandy Hutson engulfed in flames after an apparent explosion leveled the residence.

Mrs. Hutson was dead at the scene, her husband, a Vietnam War veteran, was flown to NMMC in Tupelo, then taken to Memphis for treatment.

Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s office were called in to help investigate.

A neighbor said friends of the elderly couple are in shock.

“They were really sweet friends, I’d known them my entire life, sweet people, he did my bush hogging for me in the summer, brought us vegetables, beautiful couple,” said the neighbor who wanted to remain anonymous.

“Standard practice, anytime there’s a fire-related death we call the State Fire Marshal’s office, they’re here to assist us and now we’re looking at causes of it,” said Itawamba County Fire Investigator Patrick Homan.

Four area fire departments helped fight the blaze.

Wendell and his wife Sandy were both 76-years-old. The explosion was felt by homeowners several miles away.