Man injured in Cass County explosion

A White Pigeon man was injured following an explosion over the weekend in Cass County’s Porter Township.

Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were alerted to a reported structure fire around 9 a.m. Sunday in the 67000 block of Valley Road.

The blaze caused an adjacent residence to explode. The homeowner, 53-year-old Daniel Held, was injured as a result of the explosion.

Behnke said citizens near the residence rendered aid until emergency personnel arrived.

Held was airlifted to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. Foul play does not appear to be a factor, Behnke noted.