Homeowner Survives Explosion That Destroys House

VERGAS, Minn. (WCCO) -- A Twin Cities area man who was spending time at his "getaway place" up north survived an explosion that leveled the house.

Sixty-seven-year-old Peter Hansen had just mowed the lawn at his old farmhouse in Vergus and was taking a shower when the house blew up around him.

"I mean, it looked like a tornado had done it," said Vergus Fire Chief Jeff Zitzow. "Obviously we didn't get to see the damage to the house because it caved in so quick. But the debris in the yard was ... it's phenomenal that the man made it out of there alive -- and he's fine."

Hansen was treated for minor cuts and smoke inhalation and released from the hospital. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.