One dead in Olathe house fire

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OLATHE, Kan. (AP) -- A wheelchair-bound man is dead and his roommate is seriously injured after a late-night explosion and fire in an Olathe home.

Firefighters said Tuesday that a loud explosion just prior to the blaze was heard almost three miles away. Two more explosions followed as firefighters raced to the scene at 11:30 p.m. Monday.

Fire crews tried unsuccessfully to rescue 49-year-old Ronald Brett Anderson from the burning duplex. Battalion Chief Ken Keiter said Anderson's 45-year-old roommate, John Sasaki, was in serious condition at University of Kansas Hospital's burn unit.

Two firefighters suffered minor smoke inhalation.

Keiter said Anderson used oxygen to breathe, but it's unknown whether that caused the explosions.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is helping police and fire investigators.

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Olathe Fire Department: http://www.olatheks.org/fire