A welding accident that caused a methane explosion killed a 59-year-old man in south-central Nebraska.

Nuckolls County Attorney Timothy Schmidt said the body of Michael Karmazin was found Thursday evening north of the workshop where he was working.

Schmidt said Karmazin had been working near a manure tank that's used to transport liquefied hog manure. Somehow, he ignited methane gas that was in the tank.

Karmazin's body was thrown about 20 feet, and some metal siding panels were blown off the building.

Schmidt said the accident is a reminder of how important it is to ventilate the area before welding.

Karmazin lived in a rural area east of Lawrence, which is about 50 miles south of Grand Island.