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Major explosion rocks the town of O’Neill and destroys the parish center

Vaseline October 8, 2024

Church fire in O'Neill — Thanks to Jacob Carman

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A loud explosion in O’Neill on Monday morning reverberated for miles.

Authorities said the explosion happened just before 6 a.m. at the St. Patrick’s Parish Center on the northwest corner of the St. Mary’s school grounds.

The building has been destroyed, the church said.

Officials said there were no injuries, but Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital set up a modified emergency room at the O’Neill Community Center due to damage to the hospital.

Heather Anderson was able to capture the sound of the explosion on her doorbell camera:

The hospital said it was also referring patients to other hospitals in the area.

Nothing is yet known about the cause of the explosion.

Officials said people from miles around heard the bang.

Debris on the lawn on the south side of the parish center.

Photo by KBRX Radio O’Neill Ne
Parish center southwest side from Avera parking lot

Photo by KBRX Radio O’Neill, NE
Damage to the emergency entrance doors of Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital
Debris on 3rd Street north of the Parish Center. The debris was scattered about half a block to the north.

Photo by KBRX Radio, O’Neill, NE
Windows blown out at St. Mary’s Elementary School

Photo by KBRX Radio, O’Neill, NE
Damage to Gary & Dee Raterman’s home on Adams Street in O’Neill, opposite Parish Center

Photo courtesy of Shayla Shields
Photo taken from Adams Street on the north side of Parish Center

Photo courtesy of Shayla Shields
Damage to Gary & Dee Raterman’s home on Adams Street in O’Neill, opposite Parish Center

Photo courtesy of Shayla Shields
Church fire in O’Neill

Thanks to Justine Heithoff
Church fire in O’Neill

Thanks to Justine Heithoff