Early morning commuters heading toward the Twin Cities witnessed the explosion from a distance as they drove north on highway 52.
"It was a big fireball," said Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie.
Deputies and first responders from Randolph/Hampton Fire and Northfield Fire were dispatched to the house explosion at 24705 Lewiston Boulevard, which is south of the City of Hampton.
RELATED: House explosion victim identified
The Sheriff’s Office received reports that the explosion could be heard as far away as Hastings and Farmington.
When deputies got to the scene, they found a man wandering with severe burns over much of his body. He told them he was looking for his wife.
Deputies and firefighters began providing care and first aid and searching for the spouse. The man was later taken to Regions Hospital Burn Center with severe burns to much of his body.
"We are going to try to find out what he knows about it too, so we can figure this out. There doesn't appear to be any sort of crime here," Leslie said
At approximately 8:55 a.m., a body was recovered from within the blast debris. At this time, it is believed the man and his wife were the only occupants inside the home at the time of the explosion.
"We are looking into the propane system that they had for heat," Leslie said. "We'll look into to that to see if there was some sort of malfunction, and to see if he smelled rotten eggs before hand."
With snow and more bitter cold temperatures expected, Leslie is urging caution.
"We want people to be careful with their heating elements. However they are getting their heat, make sure they check all the valves to make sure everything is in working order."
The state Fire Marshall is investigating.
