Hostyn Explosion Was Two Years Ago

June 9 marked the second anniversary of the natural gas explosion at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hostyn. The church continues the planning process of rebuilding (and recently displayed initial drawings to church members and visitors at their recent Mayfest). They continue to hold Masses at their church hall.

A natural gas leak caused the explosion just before the 7 a.m. Mass on June 9, 2022. At the time, local authorities said a woman was lighting a candle before the Mass, which ignited the gas. She was later identified as 75-year-old Verlene Kuntschik. The explosion ripped the roof off the church.

The blast was so powerful that people several miles away reported feeling it. Father Felix Twumasi, who lived next to the church, and another parishioner arriving early for Mass carried Kuntschik from the rubble. She was transported to Dell Seton Hospital in Austin, where she succumbed to her injuries 11 days later.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the explosion. La Grange Fire Chief Frank Menefee told the Record last Friday that he has still not seen any report from that investigation. The Record has filed an open records request with the State Fire Marshal’s Office for documents associated with the investigation.