UPDATE: What Caused the Deadly House Explosion in Waterloo?

The following story has been updated as of 6:30 AM CST on March 27th, 2025.

Explosion Reported in Waterloo Early Wednesday Morning

An alarming incident took place on Wednesday, March 26th in Waterloo.

Loud Explosion Heard Near Becker Elementary School

Early on the morning of Wednesday, March 26th some sort of loud noise was heard resounding through Black Hawk County, according to KCRG-TV.

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Explosion Originated from Sager Avenue in Waterloo

At approximately 2:00 AM, neighbors reported hearing some sort of explosion.

This reportedly originated from a house on Sager Avenue in Waterloo, just a block from Becker Elementary School.

One Dead and One Injured in Waterloo Explosion Incident

Initial reports had one person unaccounted for, but updated reports did confirm that one person died and another victim is injured.

Waterloo Fire Battalion Confirms Large Explosion

In this report from KCRG, Waterloo Fire Battalion Chief Ben Petersen did confirm that there was in fact a large explosion. Once emergency responders checked out the scene, they did find a small fire and gas leak.

After hours of speculation, the likely cause of the explosion has been revealed. Upon further investigation from the Waterloo Fire Department, they were able to determine that a natural gas leak in the basement probably caused this tragedy, according to reports.

Power Outages Affect Homes in Waterloo Area

300 homes in the area were without power that morning following this incident, according to Mid-American and a report from the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.

After the incident, officials did say that the area surrounding the explosion site was secure and that there seems to be no additional threat to the public.

"The safety of the community remains the top priority, and local and state officials are committed to providing further updates as the investigation unfolds." ~ Waterloo City officials in a statement following the explosion.

We will keep you updated as more information comes out regarding this explosion, the status of the victims, and how it’s affecting locals.

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