AMANA, Iowa - A warning from a passer-by gave an Amana resident time to leave his home before the structure was destroyed by an explosion and fire.

Linda McDowell says she was driving with her grandchild through the neighborhood early Thursday when she noticed flames in the garage of the home.

David Ramsey says he was in the living room when McDowell pounded on this door. Ramsey says he ran outside and opened the garage door. An explosion blew him backward, and the fire spread to the rest of the house.

Ramsey says the fire may have started in the area of the garage where he stored gasoline and some lawn mowers.

Ramsey says he was singed in the fire, but is otherwise uninjured.

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Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/

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