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Bexar County ME’s office identifies last 2 victims in explosion at an underground home on Southeast Side

Home was 12 feet below ground, had tunnel with concrete walls

SAN ANTONIO – The last two victims who died in an explosion on the Southeast Side on Friday night have been identified by the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The identities of James Gus Kalisek, 61, and William Thompson, 57, were confirmed on Wednesday. The office previously identified the other victims as Roger Huron Jr., 36, and Ashley Autobee, 28.

The San Antonio Fire Department is still investigating the cause of the explosion at K-Bar, a construction company located in the 9700 block of South Presa Street.

In its first media briefing held Tuesday, SAFD Chief Charles Hood said the explosion happened in a home about 12 feet below ground. It had a tunnel with concrete walls reinforced with rebar and was built on a 75-acre site that is owned by a man, wife and brother. Officials did not say whether the owners were any of the victims.

Hood said that the possibility of a drug lab or explosive devices have been ruled out as potential causes of the blast.

“You don’t see things like this type of explosion,” said at the briefing. “All the trees around the house were charred.”

SAFD Division Chief Doug Berry from the Arson Bureau said that some people on the property reported smelling gas prior to the explosion. Berry said a propane tank connected to the home was being investigated as a possible cause. He would not comment on whether he thought the explosion was a criminal act.

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About the Authors
Rebecca Salinas headshot

Rebecca Salinas is the Digital Executive Producer at KSAT 12 News. A San Antonio native, Rebecca is an award-winning journalist who joined KSAT in 2019.

Courtney Friedman headshot

Courtney Friedman anchors KSAT’s weekend evening shows and reports during the week. Her ongoing Loving in Fear series confronts Bexar County’s domestic violence epidemic. She joined KSAT in 2014 and is proud to call the SA and South Texas community home. She came to San Antonio from KYTX CBS 19 in Tyler, where she also anchored & reported.

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