4 people found dead at two different homes in Laurel, Nebraska

Police have put the nearby buildings on lockdown after multiple fatalities were discovered following a reported explosion at two homes in Laurel, Nebraska.

4 people were found dead at 2 crime scenes a few blocks apart. Multiple people reported hearing an explosion around 3 a.m. Authorities arrived found 1 dead inside.

A second fire/explosion was reported just a few blocks away, shortly after. 3 people were found dead at that residence. Foul play is suspected. No names were released of the victims pending notification of families.

Silver sedan seen leaving town. driver was black. possibly picked up a passenger. They believe an accelerant was used at both crime scenes. Those who started the fires could possibly have received burns.

Autopsies will be done to understand cause of death.

An incident that happened in Laurel early on Thursday morning and resulted in an undetermined number of fatalities is being looked into by the Nebraska State Patrol. There are numerous situations in the Cedar County neighborhood, and the situation is under examination.

Fire was “engaged,” according to the Nebraska State Patrol, in both places.

Additionally, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office is present. The perimeter of law enforcement appears to extend considerably beyond the vicinity of Third and Elm Streets, where it appears to be centered.

Although some first responders left the scene to attend to an active fire on the same street, the inquiry is still ongoing. Authorities refused to disclose whether it was connected to the original call or not.

Several witnesses claimed to have seen or heard an explosion at around 3:00 in the morning. By the middle of Thursday morning, authorities wearing hazmat suits could be seen making their way toward the location.

According to reports, all local businesses and other structures in Laurel are under lockdown. Wakefield’s teacher training program is presently being impacted, and according to witnesses there, the local school is also on lockdown.

According to a press statement that was sent out by a spokeswoman for NSP on Thursday afternoon, Cody Thomas, the organization will be holding a news conference to address the matter at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.