FIVE STARTS RIGHT NOW. A JOHNSTON MAN IS DEAD AFTER AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE AT HIS AUTO REPAIR WORKSHOP. IT HAPPENED AT EAST TOWN TIRE, AN AUTO IN DELAWARE TOWNSHIP IN POLK COUNTY. KCCI SENIOR REPORTER TODD MAGEL TELLS US HOW NEIGHBORS DESCRIBED THE MAN WHO DIED. STACEY AND STEVE, WE ARE JUST SOUTH OF THE EAST MIXMASTER ARE HERE IN THE METRO. ANOTHER SIGN ON THE BIG BUILDING BEHIND ME SAYS METRO MOTOR. BUT THE VICTIM, TED COSTELLO, ACTUALLY OPERATED HIS OWN REPAIR BUSINESS JUST IN THE BACK OF THE BUILDING. IT’S CALLED EAST HOME TIRE, AN AUTO. AND THAT’S WHERE THE EXPLOSION HAPPENED. THE VIEW FROM THE BACK OF THE BUILDING SHOWS THE AFTERMATH OF THE EXPLOSION. THE FORCE OF THE BLAST BLEW OUT THE CONCRETE BLOCK WALLS AND BROUGHT DOWN THE ROOF. YOU COULD SEE A PICKUP TRUCK ON A LIFT IN WHAT’S LEFT OF THE GARAGE. THIS IS WHERE 55 YEAR OLD TAD COSTELLO WAS WORKING. THE POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, AS HE WAS SERIOUSLY BURNED IN THE EXPLOSION AND FIRE. COSTELLO DIED AFTER RESCUE WORKERS TOOK HIM TO THE HOSPITAL. RICK CLARK LIVES NEXT DOOR. IT’S REALLY OUT OF ORDINARY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO COME HOME TO AND SEE THE DAMAGE THAT HAS HAPPENED. CLARK WAS NOT AT HOME AT THE TIME OF THE BLAST. HE SAYS COSTELLO REPAIRED CARS FOR A LIVING AND WAS APPARENTLY WORKING ON THE TRUCK WHEN SOMETHING EXPLODED. THE GENTLEMAN HE WAS, HE’S VERY, VERY WELL-LIKED, VERY GOOD GENTLEMAN, SMART MECHANIC, SOMEWHAT KNEW HIM AND. AND THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIM AND HIS FAMILY. NOW, POLK COUNTY FIRE INVESTIGATORS WERE ON THE SCENE TODAY, BUT SAY THEY SAY IT COULD TAKE A WHILE BEFORE THEY KNOW THE EXACT CAUSE OF THIS EXPLOSION. WE’RE LIVE IN THE METRO TOD
Man killed by explosion, fire in Polk County has been identified
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Updated: 5:20 PM CST Jan 26, 2023
The man who died during an explosion Wednesday at the Metro Motors building has been identified.The Polk County Sheriff's Office said 55-year-old Tad Costello, of Johnston, died from his injuries.Costello operated his own repair business, Eastown Tire and Auto, in the back of the building.Around 4:25 p.m., emergency crews were called to the 2500 block of Northeast 46th Avenue for reports of an explosion and fire.When firefighters and deputies arrived, the fire was not very extreme and was extinguished quickly, authorities said.According to the sheriff's office, Costello was working inside Eastown Tire and Auto during the time of the fire. He suffered serious burns and was transferred to the hospital in critical condition, where he later died.Rick Clark, who lives near the building described Costello as a "very good gentleman smart mechanic."There were no other people in the building at the time of the explosion. Firefighters continue to investigate the cause.Previous coverage:Top News Headlines:Iowa OSHA is investigating after a contractor died in an accident at AdventurelandMan injured in explosion in Polk CountyConviction overturned for Des Moines man sentenced for sex trafficking
DES MOINES, Iowa — The man who died during an explosion Wednesday at the Metro Motors building has been identified.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said 55-year-old Tad Costello, of Johnston, died from his injuries.
Costello operated his own repair business, Eastown Tire and Auto, in the back of the building.
Around 4:25 p.m., emergency crews were called to the 2500 block of Northeast 46th Avenue for reports of an explosion and fire.
When firefighters and deputies arrived, the fire was not very extreme and was extinguished quickly, authorities said.
According to the sheriff's office, Costello was working inside Eastown Tire and Auto during the time of the fire. He suffered serious burns and was transferred to the hospital in critical condition, where he later died.
Rick Clark, who lives near the building described Costello as a "very good gentleman [and] smart mechanic."
There were no other people in the building at the time of the explosion.
Firefighters continue to investigate the cause.
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