Phoenix Police: Explosion Killed Charity Worker

Published: Friday, December 22, 2017 - 3:18pm
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Authorities have identified a 73-year-old charity worker as the person killed in an explosion that shook buildings in downtown Phoenix Thursday morning.

Anita Johnson had arranged for a new stove to be installed at a home near Fillmore Street and Grand Avenue, according to Phoenix police. Johnson was killed and two delivery men were seriously injured in the explosion that produced a large fire and plume of black smoke.

The men were going to install the stove in the home. Witnesses told investigators they were removing a propane tank when the explosion occurred.

The men, ages 57 and 23, remain hospitalized, but will survive, police said.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.