1 Dead, 1 Injured In Polk County Garage Explosion

POLK COUNTY (WCCO) -- One person is dead and another is in the hospital after a garage explosion and fire Saturday, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office says the incident occurred at 657 U.S. Highway 8 in Apple River Township. Stanley Johnson, 81, was inside the garage "actively filling a small 1 lb LP cylinder from a larger 20 lb tank" when the small tank ruptured and ignited the escaping gas.

Johnson's wife, 77-year-old Nancy Johnson, was in the garage area when the explosion occurred. She was pronounced deceased on scene.

Stanley Johnson was able to escape the garage. He was transported to Amery Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries