A family from South Dakota suffered an immense loss after a house suddenly exploded Wednesday morning. Parents Kelsey and Trevor Hupp sadly lost their 6-month-old daughter, Harper, and both of Trevor’s parents, LaDonna and William Hupp, in the explosion. Their 5- and 3-year-old boys survived but have been hospitalized for their injuries and second- and third-degree burns, People reported.
The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, but authorities are not suspecting foul play at this time, per People. An estimated 385,000 house fires occur each year, and at least 50% of those reportedly start in the kitchen, according to The Zebra.
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Debris was found nearly 100 yards away after the explosion.
The Hupps' home was on South Dakota Highway 1806 in Stanley County, per Fox News. Neighbors reportedly heard a loud explosion around 10:20 a.m. Wednesday and called authorities. The explosion sent debris flying up to 100 yards in all directions, the news outlet reported.
The parents were both at work at the time of the accident while their kids were home with Trevor Hupp’s parents, per People.
Six-month-old Harper and Trevor Hupp’s mother, Ladonna Hupp, 61, were found dead at the scene, according to Fox News. William “Bill” Hupp, 66, was taken to Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre and died shortly afterward due to his injuries. The Hupps' two boys survived and were rushed to a nearby hospital, the news outlet reported.
The two boys received severe burns in the explosion.
Myles, 5, and Royce, 3, were hospitalized for their injuries, per People. Kelsey Hupp wrote that Myles had burns on 10% of his body and was intubated. "He squeezes my hand and wiggles his toes. He even fought sedation one time and sat up and looked around. He is stable,” she wrote in an update.
Both boys were airlifted to the burn unit at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. Royce had more severe injuries than his older brother; he had burns on 25% of his body with third-degree burns on his chest and arms, per Fox News.
"The boys have a long road ahead of them, but we are just so thankful that we even have this road with them. They are strong and will persevere. I will do my best to update as I can because I know everyone cares," Kelsey Hupp wrote on a Caring Bride page, Fox News reported. "Please don’t stop praying. I’m going to need every ounce I can get to continue. We love our family, friends and community so much.”
The cause of the explosion is still being investigated, but there are common ways house fires can occur and be prevented.
Cooking is the most common cause of house fires, per Kids Health. Supervising appliances when they are used and making sure they are turned off is a key step to preventing house fires. Regularly replacing and testing smoke alarms throughout your home and keeping a fire extinguisher stored there is important for fire safety prevention. In addition, keep matches, lighters, and candles out of reach of children and pets, Kids Health advises.
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The community has rallied to support the family in the midst of this heartbreaking accident.
First National Bank where Trevor Hupp works started a fund for him and his wife to help with expenses the family is facing after losing their home and several family members, according to People. Their two boys are also going to have a long recovery ahead of them.
A GoFundMe page was created by a coworker who worked with Kelsey Hupp and other community members. “As Kelsey and Trevor try to help their sons to heal while their own hearts are beyond broken, we are asking for donations to help with everything they are currently facing,” the page reads.
So far more than $415,000 of the $500,000 goal has been raised that will hopefully help the family as they try to heal from this devastating accident.
