Madison County house explosion kills 74-year-old woman. Sheriff says propane caused blast

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office gave an update on the fatal house investigation in the town of Lincoln, attributing it to a propane explosion.

At approximately 6:40 p.m. Wednesday, members of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police and the Lincoln Fire Department were dispatched to 4621 Burleson Road regarding a reported explosion. Upon arriving on scene, responders located heavy debris at the location.

“First responders were on the scene in minutes and when they arrived, they saw the debris and there was a strong smell of propane in the air,” Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood said. “Crews then began searching the debris for people who may have been in the home and they found two — a couple.”

The adult male resident of the home, 78-year-old Carl Pynn, was airlifted to Upstate University Hospital via Mercy Flight. Pynn is listed in critical condition.

The second person in the home, 74-year-old Susan Pynn, was pronounced dead at the scene. Hood said he knew the couple and that he lived down the road from them.

“I wasn’t over to the house, but it’s a sparsely populated area and not like a city. Houses can be a mile apart,” he said. The sheriff added that he heard the explosion, as did many other residents of Madison County.

Fire Investigators from the Office of Emergency Management are continuing to attempt to pinpoint the source of ignition.

According to Madison County real estate records, the two-story house was about 2,500 square feet and was built in 1973. The Pynns were listed as owners of the house.

First report: One dead after a house explosion in Madison County. What we know

Creek and Burleson Roads were closed overnight to preserve the scene. Both roadways have since been re-opened.

The Sheriff’s Office has been assisted in this investigation by the New York State Police, The Town of Lincoln Fire Department, Greater Lenox Ambulance Service, Madison County EMS, Madison County Office of Emergency Management, the Canastota Fire Department, the Wampsville Fire Department, the City of Oneida Fire Department, National Grid, Sylvan Beach Fire Department, New York State Fire, New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Mercy Flight Central and the Madison County Highway Department.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Madison County explosion caused by propane, kills 74-year-old woman