In the early morning hours of March 11, 2018, the quiet of a Salina, Kansas neighborhood was shattered by an explosion and subsequent fire. First responders arrived at 320 E. Bond Street at 3:49 AM to find a house fully engulfed in flames. After battling the intense blaze, authorities discovered the body of 42-year-old Justin R. Rogers inside the destroyed residence.
Rogers was a longtime resident of Salina and an employee at Exline for 24 years.
Initially, investigators from both the Salina Fire Department and the Salina Police Department worked to determine the cause of the explosion and fire, with the possibility of a natural gas leak being considered. However, the investigation took a different turn as authorities delved deeper into the circumstances surrounding the incident. An autopsy was ordered to determine the precise cause of Mr. Rogers' death.
Following the preliminary autopsy, the Salina Police Department announced that they did not suspect foul play in Justin Rogers' death. It was later reported that he had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation concluded that the fire and explosion were connected to this act, and no suspects were sought in connection with the case.
