(KNZA)--The man killed in a house explosion Monday evening in Jackson County has been identified.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release Tuesday, identifed the victim as 61-year-old Billy “ Lu” Griffiths, of rural Holton.  Griffiths served a director of the Banner Creek Lake.

His wife, Teri, was seriously injured and airlifted to a Kansas City hospital. She is a teacher at Royal Valley High School.

Morse said the Jackson County Sheriff's Office was notified of a large explosion around 6:15 Monday evening that could be heard over 10 miles away.

Rescue units responded to the residence located at 27284 Q.4 Road over 3 miles north of Holton, just northeast of Jackson Heights High School.

Morse said responders found the residence to be completely leveled and on fire.

He said it's believed the home owners had been working on remodeling the residence.

The incident remains under investigation by the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.