Man found dead inside Sequim home destroyed in explosion identified; blast was accidental

SEQUIM, Wash. — A man who died when his house exploded and caught fire in Sequim on July 18 has been identified.

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office was notified that the victim is 63-year-old Sequim resident, Paul J. Lewis.

At about 7 p.m., Clallam County deputies were sent to a report of an explosion in the 100 block of June Place. When deputies and crews from Clallam County Fire District 3 arrived, they found a house destroyed by an explosion and fire.

The blast also damaged several houses in the neighborhood and nearby homes were evacuated.

Firefighters put out the flames and found Lewis dead inside what was left of the home.

No one else was hurt.

Investigators from the sheriff’s office and the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms sifted through the debris. Though the specific cause of the explosion is not known, evidence collected at the scene shows the blast is believed to be accidental and no foul play is suspected.

Pilot Michael Payne, who lives along a community runway, shared stunning video of the aftermath taken from the cockpit of his small plane about 10 minutes after the blast.

He said he lives two miles east of the house that was destroyed, and the explosion rattled his windows at home.

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