Gillespie County house explosion victims die from their injuries

Two Gillespie County residents hospitalized after their home exploded in Gillespie County May 27 died just days apart from each other.  David Dean Tatsch and Loyce Tatsch were taken to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio in the aftermath of the explosion which happened about nine miles south of Fredericksburg in The Overlook at Bear Creek subdivision near U.S. Highway 87.

The two-story home was engulfed in flames when first responders arrived on scene just before 8:40 a.m.  The explosion created a large boom and black smoke began rising into the air, according to witnesses.  Authorities believe a propane gas leak may have been the cause of the blast, which occurred when one of the Tatsches tried using the stove.

Deputies later learned that a Tuesday night power outage may have affected appliances or pilot lights, and that a buildup of propane gas over time could have also contributed to the explosion.  According to the sheriff’s office, ammunition stored in the home discharged during the explosion due to extreme heat.

The medical examiner listed the manner of death for both as accidental.  The Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office will continue investigating the blast in order to determine an exact cause.