A blast that leveled a home

A home on Rollaway Drive NE in Plainfield Township was destroyed early Tuesday morning when a massive explosion engulfed the house in flames. The blast killed Doug Preston and left his wife, Lucy Preston, 61, with fourth-degree burns. She remains on a ventilator in the intensive care unit, according to a GoFundMe page created by her friends.

Kent County Undersheriff Bryan Muir told reporters investigators believe Preston intentionally leaked natural gas into the basement and ignited it in an attempted murder-suicide.

"This is believed to be a domestic-related situation and that the fire was intentionally set, we believe by the husband at this point, intending to be a murder-suicide at the residence," Muir said.

Neighbors pull her from the rubble

Nearly 50 calls flooded 911 around 4 a.m. Tuesday as neighbors reported a sound they described as a bomb dropping.

"There's an explosion across the street," one caller told a dispatcher. "The house is gone. It's horrible."

Two neighbors rushed into the danger to save Lucy Preston. Tim Johnson heard her calling for help after the blast shook his home. He and 17-year-old Mandrell Bryant grabbed her arms and pulled her from the side yard, where the explosion had thrown her away from the structure.

Johnson suffered second-degree burns to his head and hand during the rescue.

"I don't even remember myself sitting up. I was just out of bed and up and running," Bryant said, according to WZZM13. "My mom was telling me, 'No, you can't go,' but I was like, 'Mom, I see her, she's right there.'"

Muir said the woman likely would have died without their actions.

"We are incredibly thankful to the nearby residents that rushed to her rescue and were able to pull her from the home. Without their actions, it is likely she would have perished in the fire," Muir said.

Divorce filing, text messages point to motive

Court records show Lucy Preston filed for divorce in March, just 85 days before the explosion. The couple was scheduled to appear in court for a divorce hearing on Friday, according to WWMT and Daily Mail reporting.

Investigators said text messages between the couple point to domestic violence and Doug Preston's intent to carry out a murder-suicide, Muir said.

A neighbor's grief

Jerry Orent and his wife had lived next door to the Prestons for 30 years and considered them friends.

"You don't blow up your house and wife," Orent said. "Nothing is worth killing yourself or killing someone else. If you have a problem, ask for help."

Orent said Lucy Preston had come to talk to him and his wife about marital problems in recent months. He described Doug Preston as kind, religious, and an electrician who did not fit the profile of someone capable of such violence.

"From what she was saying to my wife, I guess he said everything but a compliment to her. Anything he said would be mean, nasty or a swear word. That's not Doug either, which surprised me," Orent said.

Orent's garage was damaged and several windows in his home were blown out by the blast.

Community rallies around Lucy Preston

A GoFundMe page created by Lucy Preston's friends describes her as a caring, selfless person who gave much to her community. The fundraiser notes she faces a long road ahead.

The Polish Heritage Society of Grand Rapids said Lucy Preston is a "dedicated and meaningful part of our community" and added that the organization is "holding her and her family close in our thoughts during this difficult time."

Muir told reporters the incident is isolated and there are no concerns of gas leaks or other home explosions in the area.

"We want to relay to the family affected by this our deepest sorrows for having to deal with a situation so tragic," Muir said.

The cause of the ignition remains under investigation by the Plainfield Township Fire Department and the Kent County Sheriff's Office.