Central Alberta house explodes; belonged to woman who died in fire last winter

A suspect has been arrested after an explosion was heard at a central Alberta home belonging to a woman who died in a house fire last winter.

Witnesses say the Stettler property owned by Monica Klaus was surrounded by police.

The RCMP aren't saying much, but confirm a person has been arrested.

The remains of Klaus, who was 40, and her 61-year-old father, Gordon Klaus, were found in the rubble of a burned-out farmhouse in Castor, Alta., last December.

Police determined that the blaze was deliberately set and consider their deaths homicides.

The man's wife, Sandra Klaus, who was 62, has not been found, but it's believed she also died in the fire.

Emergency responders found the family's dog shot dead outside the home.

Police also said at the time they did not believe the fire was a random act.

Jason Klaus lived in a home across from his parents but was unharmed. He told media that his sister had been visiting their parents.

Three days after the fire, police found the family's white GMC Sierra truck abandoned about 30 kilometres away.