Authorities identify man killed in Brookings house fire, explosion

February 26, 2020

BROOKINGS, S.D.–Authorities have released the name of the man killed in Thursday’s explosion and fire in Brookings.

Assistant Police Chief Derrick Powers says 56-year-old Robert Fryer was found dead on the first floor of the building after the fire was under control.

Fire Chief Darrell Hartmann says they believe the cause of the fire was a mechanical issue that caused a natural gas leak. There were flames throughout the structure when firefighters arrived, and neighboring buildings were evacuated.

The house was a rental property and was separated into three apartments.