UPDATE: Explosion at parish center in O'Neill
O'NEILL, Neb. -- Authorities are battling the aftermath of an apparent explosion at a church in O'Neill.
Video taken by KBRX Radio Monday morning, shows firefighters in the Holt County town battling towering flames after an explosion at the St. Patrick's Church Parish Center.
It happened just before 6 a.m.
It's reported that the blast did damage to neighboring buildings, including blowing the doors off the nearby Avera St. Anthony's Medical Clinic.
Avera St. Anthony's is setting up a modified Emergency Room at the O'Neill Community Center, and Emergency patients are being taken to neighboring hospitals.
There have also been reports of broken windows at neighboring homes.
Holt County Emergency Manager Deb Hilker confirmed to News Channel Nebraska that the fire started in the parish center.
A rural resident of Holt County called in to NCN to say that they could feel the concussion of the blast from four miles outside of town.
The building sits right next to the hospital in O'Neill, as well as St. Mary's Catholic school and is across the street form the Holt County Courthouse. No word yet on the extent of any damage to those buildings.
NCN has not received word as of yet on any injuries or cause.
KBRX live video of the blaze following the explosion:
