American Fork community mourns loss of neighbor after house explosion

AMERICAN FORK, Utah (KUTV) — In the wake of a devastating house explosion that took the life of an American Fork woman, neighbors and the community are coming to terms with the tragedy.

On Monday, American Fork police identified 78-year-old Kathy Harrison as the person who died in the home explosion.

"Time has passed and yeah, there hasn’t been hardly a moment that I haven’t been thinking about it," said Jim Hopkinson, a neighbor of Harrison for years.

Responders at the scene discovered Harrison in home, adding she died from to her injuries, although the medical examiner is still determining the official cause of death.

"I am chagrined for Kathy Harrison's family" Hopkinson said. "Kathy was the type that on her way out of the neighborhood in her car would stop and say hello if they were outside and meet them that way."

Hopkinson said Harrison was private and has since learned she was family-oriented.

"We know that her family were very involved with her and that she was active in what they had going on but she was a little more of a private person than some of us tend to be," Hopkinson said.

Hopkinson said he met Harrison’s family on the morning of the explosion, offering them support during their difficult time.

"So we visited a little bit during that walk but it was a hard time for them and I wasn’t prying or pushy. I was just trying to be helpful," he said.

The loss has reverberated through the neighborhood.

"You know... it is a constant reminder that life can be pretty suddenly taken from you and best to do all you can while you can," Hopkinson said.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.