UPDATE: Massive fire in Grand Island kills business owner
Posted By: Channel 8 Eyewitness News
8@klkntv.com
UPDATE: GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) State investigators say homemade explosives caused the fire in which a Grand Island business owner died.
The Nebraska fire marshal’s office said in a news release Tuesday that “this incident was the result of manufacturing of homemade explosives by the deceased.” The release says no other information about the blasts is yet available.
Authorities say 65-year-old Mike Winfrey’s body was found early Monday morning inside the building that housed his Winfrey Plumbing and Heating operation. His father, Doyle Winfrey, owned the structure, which the office says is probably a total loss.
Firetrucks were dispatched after several people reported hearing explosions around 10:45 p.m. Sunday. An estimated 40 firefighters battled the flames. Two injured people were treated at a Grand Island hospital and released. Their names haven’t been released.
Posted By: Sarah Fili
sfili@klkntv.com
Explosions rocked Grand Island, sparking a deadly fire Sunday night. Witnesses reported hearing pops around 10:45 p.m. at Winfrey’s Plumbing, then a massive blaze erupted.
"Not sure what caused it at this time, we had reports of people hearing the explosion over 3 miles away, the firs units on scene reported flames 40 foot in the air,” Shift Commander Ed Carlin, Grand Island Fire Department, said.
Crews had to battle the blaze from outside because the building was too unstable for them to enter. Once they got inside, they found the business owner, Mike Winfrey dead around 2:30 a.m. His family says they’re devastated.
“It was sad, I cried for sure. I was obviously surprised by it. I thought it was a joke and then as soon as I hung up with my mom, I got on Facebook and it blew up my news feed so it was not a good night,” Alissa Mangus, Winfrey’s niece said.
Authorities say a man and a woman are still in the hospital. Crews worked through the night and into Monday morning, monitoring the building for hot spots.
The family says rumors are flying about what started the fire, but they are asking the community to be respectful while crews investigate.
"At the end of the day, that is what people need to focus on – is the fact that he just lost everything – you know – we just lost that whole business and I think first and foremost before people start drama about it, we need to remember that he’s one of our own in our community,” Mangus said.
The fire also spread to a nearby building, but was quickly put out. The State Fire Marshall’s office has been called in to help investigate, no word yet on the cause
