House explosion now considered accidental

LAWTON, Okla. (AP) – A southwest Oklahoma sheriff says a house explosion that left one man dead and was initially investigated as a homicide is now considered an accident.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office says the Aug. 24 blast killed chiropractor Anthony Ferrara of Cache, who operated a chiropractic clinic in Lawton and owned the vacant home about 78 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.

Comanche County Sheriff Kenny Stradley told the Lawton Constitution that although there was no electricity, natural gas or propane connected to the house, a “combustion fluid” was inside the home and ignited.

Stradley says there is no indication a fire was intentionally started and that investigators are waiting for the fire marshal to determine the cause of the explosion.