State

Explosion in Kansas kills mom, dad, toddler; investigation underway

The Ford County Sheriff’s Office provided a photo of the building in Bucklin, Kansas where the explosion occurred on Saturday.
The Ford County Sheriff’s Office provided a photo of the building in Bucklin, Kansas where the explosion occurred on Saturday. Ford County Sheriff Bill Carr

State and local officials are investigating an explosion at a building that killed three people and injured another in southwest Kansas on Saturday.

At 5:28 p.m. Ford County Emergency Communications received a call about an explosion in the 100 block of West Center Street in Bucklin, according to a Facebook post from Ford County Sheriff Bill Carr.

In an email on Sunday, Carr said the explosion happened at a commercial building that was being remodeled.

The Ford County Sheriff’s Office, Bucklin Fire Department and the Ford County Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene.

The three people who died were identified as Jerry Isakson, 26; Robyn Hamilton, 29 and Stormy Isakson, 19 months, all from Dodge City. Christian Stimpert, 26, of Bucklin, was taken to St. Catherine Hospital in Dodge City for medical treatment, Carr added.

Isakson and Hamilton were the parents of the 19-month-old child, Carr said in a message.

It is not known what caused the explosion. The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office, which is assisting in the investigation, was not immediately available Sunday to provide more details.

“The incident is being investigated as an accident,” Carr said.

Bucklin is roughly 130 miles west of Wichita.

This story was originally published October 15, 2023 at 2:40 PM.

Eduardo Castillo
The Wichita Eagle
Eduardo covers crime and breaking news for The Wichita Eagle. His previous work experience includes stints at KWCH 12 Eyewitness News, the local CBS affiliate in Wichita, and as a marketing manager for a local real estate team. In addition to writing, Eduardo also enjoys still photography and cinematography. News tips? email at Edcastillo@wichitaeagle.com or call 316-268-6213.
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