The explosion occurred about 4:30 p.m. on 340 N. Piedmont St., at the north end of town, said Dolores Fire Chief Mike Zion. Officials suspect a propane leak caused the violent explosion.
“The home was leveled,” Zion said. “Doors were blown 100 yards away.”
The victim, Lisa Salliby, 42, was located after a three-hour search, Zion said, but could not be revived.
Two other residents were not home at the time of the explosion.
Rico, Dolores and Cortez fire district and medic crews responded to the scene. Lewis and Pleasant View fire crews and the Dolores-based K-9 Search and Rescue were en route, but turned back after the victim was found.
Zion said there was no fire after the explosion, and no other properties were affected.
Heavy snowfall in Rico and white-out conditions on Colorado Highway 145 made travel to the scene difficult.
Fire officials urge homeowners to check propane lines and heating systems and install carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.
