Scott Ritzinger dies in fatal Smithville house fire

Scott Ritzinger dies in fatal Smithville house fire

Fatal Smithville house fire death of Scott Ritzinger – Obituary

Scott Ritzinger, 71, was killed when his home on East Meadow Street in Smithville, Missouri, was destroyed in a powerful fire and explosion on January 28, 2026. Authorities confirmed his identity five days after the incident.

First responders arrived at the scene around 6:20 p.m. Wednesday to find the residence fully engulfed in flames. The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office reported that the blast was strong enough to break through the kitchen floor, damaging the floor joists, and pushed the front wall six inches forward and the back wall eight inches backward.

Investigators determined that an explosion triggered a secondary fire. The home contained a natural gas furnace and water heater in the basement, leading officials to involve Spire Gas and Evergy to secure the utilities.

No signs of foul play have been found, and police said the official cause of death will be confirmed after the medical examiner completes their investigation.