### Powerful Explosion Levels Home in Gladstone, Missouri, Leaving One Dead

A devastating explosion rocked a home in Gladstone, Missouri, on Saturday morning, resulting in the deaths of a man and a large breed dog. The blast occurred around 11:14 a.m. in the 100 block of 74th Terrace, approximately 10 miles north of downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Neighbors reported that the explosion shook their homes and caused significant alarm. "All of a sudden there was a huge explosion that just shook the whole house," said Gladstone resident Mandy Ratcliffe. She described the scene as initially confusing but soon noticed "a huge cloud of black smoke just coming up into the air."

Emergency responders from the Gladstone Fire Department arrived promptly and discovered the bodies of the man and the dog amid the wreckage. One other dog remains missing. Authorities have yet to identify the deceased man, and there were no other reported injuries in the incident.

The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Missouri State Fire Marshal taking the lead in determining what happened. A representative from Spire Inc., the local gas company, stated that the explosion was not related to natural gas.

Witnesses such as Mandy Ratcliffe were left in shock by the extent of the damage. Describing the aftermath, Ratcliffe said, "It is total destruction. The house just looks like splinters."

The investigation continues as officials work to uncover the cause behind this tragic incident.