One dead in house explosion

A woman has died as a result of a house explosion Thursday in the Township of Cable.

Joyce Reidl died of burns and injuries suffered during the explosion. The condition of her husband, Raymond Reidl, is unknown.

The Bayfield County Sheriff’s Department reported that a large portion of a house at 45975 S. Lake Owen Drive was “blown apart” about 6 p.m.

A neighbor, Pamela Wald, called 911, and another neighbor, Lee Wald, was able to help Raymond Reidl, one of the two occupants, evacuate. When a sheriff’s deputy arrived, he found about half of the house engulfed in flames.

Joyce Reidl was trapped among debris as the fire continued to spread toward her.

Great Divide EMS and Cable Fire Department and the Drummond Fire Department arrived, and fire personnel were able to pull Joyce Reidl from the house.

Both of the Reidls were taken to a nearby airport and flown to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment. They had sustained severe burns and other injuries, the Sheriff’s Department reported.

Cause and origin of the fire haven’t been determined.