Mpls. Fatal House Explosion Ruled An Accident

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Fire investigators have ruled a house explosion and fire that killed two women on July 30 in Minneapolis was an accident.

The explosion happened in a one-story house on the 4300 block of Morgan Avenue North around 12:30 p.m. Investigators said the explosion was caused by leaking gas in a kitchen stove. They said they don't know how the gas was ignited. Investigators did look into whether the stove was correctly installed.

Elizabeth Mullay, 43, and Valerie VanMieghem-Moore, 41, were both in the home at the time of the explosion and were severely burned. They later died from their injuries.

Investigators said the case is now a civil matter and will be handled by property owners and insurance companies.