Gilmore City man in explosion is identified

On Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 12:51 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified of an explosion at a residence in the town of Gilmore City.
Emergency personnel were dispatched to 401 SE 4th St. in Gilmore City in reference to an explosion at a residence. The victim was identified as Ryan Angell, 49. Angell lives in that residence.
Angell was transported by Humboldt County EMS to Humboldt County Memorial Hospital and was later transferred by LifeFlight helicopter. He remains at a Des Moines hospital in serious condition. The force of the blast reportedly caused serious injuries to the hand, arm and torso of Angell’s body.
There was another individual in the residence at the time of the explosion, but that person was unharmed.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office secured the scene and called in the Iowa State Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to conduct an investigation. The HCSO also conducted a search warrant on the premises.
Preliminary findings from the investigation by the ATF and State Fire Marshal indicate the explosion is associated with over the counter exploding clay targets and possibly consumer grade fireworks.
The investigation is ongoing and will not be complete for some time.
Gilmore City First Responders and Humboldt County Emergency Management also assisted at the scene on Tuesday, Sept. 15.