O’NEILL, Neb. -- A low-speed collision with a gas line is to blame for an explosion that destroyed a church building and damaged countless other buildings and homes in O’Neill.

The O’Neill Police Department says a 58-year-old man identified as a Guatemalan national struck the gas line feeding the St. Patrick’s Parish Center building. According to a news release, the low-speed crash happened about 50 minutes before the explosion, which was shortly before 6:00 a.m. Police say the collision damaged the line and caused natural gas to leak into the building. It eventually ignited, causing the explosion and fire.

Police say the man cooperated with investigators and was transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Authorities don’t believe he was under the influence of alcohol or any intoxicating substance.

The investigation is continuing and police say they will provide further updates if they are available.

The response included fire departments from O’Neill, Atkinson, Chambers and Ewing. It also included the Holt County Sheriff’s Office, Holt County Emergency Management, Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, ATF and the county attorney’s office.