[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/331749510″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

(Update 3:40 p.m.) – Components of illegal fireworks were believed to have been found by ATF agents at the scene of a house explosion that took place on Independence Day in the 1100 block of Prospect Ave.

ATF Spokesman John Ham said the components will be sent to the ATF Explosives Laboratory for evaluation.  He said results could take four to six weeks.  Agents have cleared the scene and no longer believe that there is any threat to public safety.

(Update 10:51 a.m.) – The St. Joseph Police Department has taken a man into custody in connection with a home explosion on Independence Day that destroyed a north end home.

Capt. Jeff Wilson said Wednesday that a 53-year-old man is in custody in reference to the incident. As of 10:46 a.m. charges have not been filed. Wilson said the investigation continues.

As we previously reported, three people were taken to the hospital Tuesday for treatment of what was described as non life-threatening injuries after a large explosion at a home in the 1100 block of Prospect Ave. Several smaller explosions were also heard on footage taken from the scene. Two men and one woman were transported to the hospital. The St. Joseph Police Department, Fire Department and ATF are conducting an investigation.

Wilson said there is no other information to release at this time.

The deadline to register a tractor for the 2017 Keep Missouri Farming Tractor Cruise is nearing.

According to the Missouri Farm Bureau, people who want to participate need to register by July 7th to qualify for door prizes. The 32-mile journey through Holt County will take place July 15th.

Vernon Hart with the Missouri Farm Bureau Federation said the tractor cruise is a way to raise funds for agriculture awareness.

“It will be a way to raise funds for northwest Missouri,” Hart said. “A lot of people like old tractors and it’s been pretty successful so far.”

Greg Gaines with the Missouri Farm Bureau said the foundation was set up in 1996.

“Over the years we’ve tried several different ways to raise funds and awareness for the foundations. We’ve had golf tournaments, we’ve had trap shoots, we’ve had banquets and different things. But, this antique tractors cruise that Vern’s been spearheading has been one of the most successful efforts we’ve had, even in the whole state,” Gaines said.

Hart said the tractors will meet July 15th at 8 a.m. in Mound City on the northwest Corner of Junction I-29 and Highway 118.

“From there we’re going 16 miles one way to Oregon, Missouri. There we’ll stop and have a lunch break at the Methodist church there in the basement and we’ll have the tractors parked on the square,” Hart said. “We invite people to come and have lunch with us, adults $8, children $4. They can view the tractors and have lunch with us.”

A requirement of entering a tractor is that all tractors have to be 1985 or older and able to go at least 10 miles per hour. The cost to enter a tractor is $35 for open-stations tractors or $50 for air-conditioned cab tractors. CLICK HERE for more information.

Three people went to the hospital after a large explosion and fire rocked a north side neighborhood on the fourth of July. Capt. Jeff Wilson of the St. Joseph Police Department said the injuries were not life threatening.

The house, at Prospect Ave and West Poulin St., was destroyed by the blast at around 9:30 am Tuesday.

As shown in the video above, a series of smaller explosions kept passersby from reaching one woman who was screaming for help, having crawled halfway out of the wreckage. Eventually she was pulled to safety.

Another man was helped out of the house, and then staggered to the other side of the street and fell onto the ground. We spoke at length with him to determine if he was okay. He said he didn’t need any help and refused to answer any questions. The owner of the house was seen talking with a neighbor shortly after the blast.

“There’s three victims at this time, said Capt. Jeff Wilson of the St. Joseph Police Department. “There’s two adult males and one adult female. They’re all at the hospital being treated, but I’ve been told they’re non-life-threatening injuries that they’re being treated for.”

“I know that initial information came out that there’s a possibility of a young child inside the residence at that time,” he said. “Investigators have looked into that, and have confirmed that that child was safely at another residence.”

Wilson says there is a wide debris field, so the continuing investigation may take a significant amount of time.

“What you’ll see happening now is a joint investigation between the St. Joseph Police Department, Fire Department, and ATF,” Wilson said. “You’ll see them go through the debris field and look for evidence as to what may have caused this explosion.”