(From the Joplin Police Department)On July 3, 2025, at approximately 1:31 p.m., the Joplin Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting an explosion in the 2500 block of South Virginia Avenue.
Joplin Police officers and personnel from the Joplin Fire Department responded to the scene, located at 2501 S. Virginia Avenue.
Upon arrival, first responders located two injured individuals. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment. One of the victims, identified as Justin Rankin, age 47, of the home, was later transferred to a hospital in Springfield, Missouri, where he succumbed to his injuries.
A juvenile female also sustained injuries and is currently listed in stable condition.
The initial investigation indicates the explosion occurred in a shed on the property. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
The Joplin Police Department is being assisted in this ongoing investigation by the Joplin Fire Department, the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Springfield Fire Department. Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Joplin Police Department.
67 comments:
Homemade firework meth lab are my 2 guesses
The first two things that popped into my mind also.
Prayers for the family and for healing for the little girl
Why don’t u get off it!!! He died and all u can say is meth meth meth!!! Ur pure evil!!! U will answer to Jesus one day for being a rotten scumbag human being!!!
How come the community always pulls the meth lab card out of their behind when something as tragic as this happens. That shows not only the uneducated gutter level you are stuck in ( on) but also disrespects the victims and their family , close ones involved... Everyone should know by now that the detectives where successful in iradicating any kind of Red and Black meth lab that amounted to anything worth an addicts time or life being involved in. The crystal or ice these days is not manufactured in that way . And if anyone is trying to replicate the days way gone by they are simply not coming close to what it was. They don't know what they are doing and the ingredients needed have all been reduced to organic and almost impossible to pull off. So it's likely that the explosion was something else. It is the 4th of July.
Well it wasn't a meth lab dummy. That's not even possible anymore. And it was fireworks, learn to think before posting assumptions
STFU - it was a propane tank.
These comments are horrible. I pray for the families no matter the reason their families are changed for life . May God bring peace to all
Very well said . People aren't cooking meth any more . I can't stand when they always assume . Hopefully these ones that don't know . Will read this
Meth labs don't explode like bombs you idiots
1st thing I thought! Meth
Whoever said meth labs arnt still a thing needs to go to the 7th street Walmart at some point. And to the sanctimonious a-holes that are jumping people for mentioning it...christ I hope you flap your Jaws like that in public.
Considering his recent and pending criminal history: the thought that drugs may have been a contributing factor, is not an out there idea. That in some ways makes it more tragic and sad for the family and loved ones of these people. If you are struggling with addiction: Get hope, Get help. You deserve it, there are people who truly care about you. Once you get clean, you will find the people who care about you and not the drugs you hold.
You all sure know a lot about meth labs…..hmm
😆 a couple of you seem to know for a FACT it isn’t possible to create a meth lab 🧐 “anymore.” U all are some angry humans. I pray the child survives to tell us what happened.
His friend needs to be investigated his friend is the one who showed him how to make that homemade firework/bomb. It’s not hard to tell if it was a meth work shop all they have to do is check the valves and if their blue it’s definitely used to manufacture meth very tragic we felt our windows shake we are 2 blocks away. And of course it’s sad that people are using his background and pending charges against him KAOM was making messed up remarks about his propane tanks in his yard I hope they figure out what happened I hope it wasn’t anything meth related I’m sure if he had meth in his blood they will say something
People can cook meth all kinds of ways I’ve seen guys dig a hole in the ground and bury It and go back time later and realized they just made a great batch of meth
It was homemade fireworks
Sure hate to see anyone go thru such a terrible thing! And to see these comments from some of the stupidest people who will not use their name! Says it all !
Boy you all sure make up your own stories without any facts. He was attempting to make home made fireworks. Pray for the family and stop with the nonsense
Agreed. Pyrotechnics Casey Reid is known to make massive fireworks explosions and deals with meth
All of you "geniuses" need to pump the brakes. It's truly tragic and unfortunate for any loss of life but sadly, the responses on this thread sound eerily familiar to the partisan divide that demonstrates the critical condition of the (broken) union. The decline in civilization is in full view and blindly accepted.
Anonymous at 9:58 p.m. sure seems to know a lot about meth...play stupid games win stupid prizes...
I’m gonna go ahead and say this he had a rough past yes but he was clean for a long time this was simply a firework accident he was my dads best friend there whole life through thick and thin and never did no wrong to anyone he cared for he was a good man so stop saying it was meth this or meth that because we know you just want to be more dramatic and have a crazier story it simply wasn’t meth and that’s the end of the story he has family that see these stupid ass comments and I don’t know about you but if I was his daughter or family one day and I was reading these I wouldn’t want false information
Wow I someone guessed right on both accounts lol
Very Sad Situation - I wonder why did the individual need to be transported to the Springfield Hospital - With 2-Very Large Hospitals in Joplin that employee thousands - are we missing several specialist that are needed locally?
I have seen several stories that people are being transported to either Springfield or Kansas City, You would think that the Joplin area Hospitals services thousands in the radius of 50-Miles - but are we lacking crucial and Life Saving Specialist that we cannot either get or have locally?
Thanks for your comment. Prayers for all 💔🙏
The Mercy Burn Unit is located in Springfield, Joplin does not have burn unit.
Springfield Mercy is a Level 1 burn center. We have talented providers here in the area, Mercy Springfield is more equipped for an injury like the deceased had.
It is unfortunate that Mr Rankin had a consistent track record. He was still given every opportunity by law enforcement and EMS to save his life. It is terrible for those who lost a family member, however the choice to make homemade explosives by Mr. Rankin put his life and others at risk.
Simple answer, Springfield Hospital has the nearest specialized burn treatment unit.
They have a burn unit in Springfield. All of our areas burn victims get transported there.
So if his friend told him to jump off a bridge, would he do it? He made the choice to do it. He wasn’t forced. Just because someone gives you their perspective on how to do something doesn’t mean you have to do it. He was grown making poor choices
Amen
Amen
This is a Tragic Situation for All.
Just curious what other specialized centers / units are not available within the 2-hospitals that are available elsewhere. Off Topic, if money/insurance was not an object would you trust the local doctors/hospitals to treat:
Some of the Top Killers of Adults - or Travel Outside of Area.
Heart Disease
Cancer
Stroke
Chronic Respiratory Issues
Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
Alzheimer's Disease
Diabetes
Kidney Disease
We know the girl that got injured we need to pray for them
Hospitals can't be all things to all people. Trauma centers need a sufficient volume of severely injured patients to maintain their expertise and justify the high operational costs. Springfield has a higher volume of patients and therefore can afford to have specialized units.
Meth lab theory is out. That stuff is all imported now.
I'm glad somebody set shut those people up that just want to run there mouth
It wasn't a Meth Lab. It was a father with his daughter lighting fireworks. She was outside the shed, he was inside. She stated: Daddy said, "Brylee RUN". "I took 3 steps and then we blew up". The 3 steps saved her life. It was just fireworks. I know this because that man that died is my little brother. He was a good, loving father, brother and friend. He will be dearly missed. They had been doing fireworks the entire day. My mom was there. She wouldn't have been if most the F'd up things some of you are saying were happening the way you speculate. As well, if he made a mistake or poor choice, he paid for it with his life. So, STFU. I've known him since the day he was born. He was a good kid with a good heart then and he has always had a loving caring soul. Death will not stop that truth and neither can you. I LOVE him with all my heart -forever and ever and would GLADLY take his place if it would bring him back for the rest of the family. AMEN. Your comments make you look and sound way worse than anything you could say about him anyway. Just for actually hitting the send button after typing it. It makes the world uglier. You made the world uglier today. I hope you are proud of yourself. As if he is here anymore to defend himself. You'd lose. As far as the ACCIDENT goes. Accidents Happen. He was on his own property. I bet no one more than him wishes it wasn't so. As if it were on purpose. The last 3 hours of his life, he was awake for. He died one of the most painful deaths imaginable. So bad that, I wish he would have died instantly instead. For him and for the little girl who had to see him with no hands, no leg no face, burnt so bad I'm guessing his eyes were gone as well as most the skin on his face and entire body. She couldn't even recognize him. So bad, you wouldn't wish it on your worst enemies. Well, most people wouldn't wish it. Maybe a couple of those who commented like sociopaths would. . Even if any of it were true, which it isn't, who besides someone who needs to make it appear they are better than others (which is telling me that YOU TOO aren't perfect and have regrets and have also made a poor choice or two in life and are projecting it to us loud and clear. My GUESS is your perfect, non-sinning, stone casting cruel, thoughtless, disrespectful comments and attitude, has been put there by you to intentionally, further the kids memories and pain and traumatize the kids and our mom just to taint their memories, for the kids to see toward my family' and our loss makes you only think it hides what you are. But, if you soul search a little bit, you will see it's done the opposite. . And even if the worst of it all was all true, which it's not He didn't deserve I'll be flying in for the Funeral to pay respects to my kid brother and to support who he ACCIDENTLY left behind. My Family. No one deserves this. This will be my first time back since we were hit by the EF5. That's why he lived where the explosion was. We lost three homes and people that day too
It wasn't a Meth Lab. It was a father with his daughter lighting fireworks. She was outside the shed, he was inside. She stated: Daddy said, "Brylee RUN". "I took 3 steps and then we blew up". The 3 steps saved her life. It was just fireworks. I know this because that man that died is my little brother. He was a good, loving father, brother and friend. He will be dearly missed. They had been doing fireworks the entire day. My mom was there. She wouldn't have been if most the F'd up things some of you are saying were happening the way you speculate. As well, if he made a mistake or poor choice, he paid for it with his life. So, STFU. I've known him since the day he was born. He was a good kid with a good heart then and he has always had a loving caring soul. Death will not stop that truth and neither can you. I LOVE him with all my heart -forever and ever and would GLADLY take his place if it would bring him back for the rest of the family. AMEN. Your comments make you look and sound way worse than anything you could say about him anyway. Just for actually hitting the send button after typing it. It makes the world uglier. You made the world uglier today. I hope you are proud of yourself. As if he is here anymore to defend himself. You'd lose. As far as the ACCIDENT goes. Accidents Happen. He was on his own property. I bet no one more than him wishes it wasn't so. As if it were on purpose. The last 3 hours of his life, he was awake for. He died one of the most painful deaths imaginable. So bad that, I wish he would have died instantly instead. For him and for the little girl who had to see him with no hands, no leg no face, burnt so bad I'm guessing his eyes were gone as well as most the skin on his face and entire body. She couldn't even recognize him. So bad, you wouldn't wish it on your worst enemies. Well, most people wouldn't wish it. Maybe a couple of those who commented like sociopaths would. . Even if any of it were true, which it isn't, who besides someone who needs to make it appear they are better than others (which is telling me that YOU TOO aren't perfect and have regrets and have also made a poor choice or two in life and are projecting it to us loud and clear. My GUESS is your perfect, non-sinning, stone casting cruel, thoughtless, disrespectful comments and attitude, has been put there by you to intentionally, further the kids memories and pain and traumatize the kids and our mom and taint their memories, fand our loss makes you only think it hides what you are. But, if you soul search a little bit, you will see it's done the opposite. a bonus arse whooping. And even if the worst of it all was all true, which it's not He didn't deserve I'll be flying in for the Funeral to pay respects to my kid brother and to support who he ACCIDENTLY left behind. My Family.
No one deserves this. This will be my first time back since we were hit by the EF5. That's why he lived where the explosion was. We lost three homes and people that day too. I've never seen him be careless with chemicals/propane / gas / etc. Most jobs he's worked have substances to be cautious around. There's never been an issue. And TONS of people modify fireworks. It's nothing new. We have our entire lives. I see people do it every year. Most people I know have converted Picalo Petes into more explosive devices. Or modified things that others may or may not agree with. It just sounds like he was trying to be the cool friend/dad and this time, something bad and horrifically unexpected happened. By the way. Some of you people might care enough about the surviving children in the family to realize that the kids who just lost their father and uncle CAN read. They very likely will see this . I know this because when I got the call. The one saying I no longer have a brother and the kids no longer have a dad and Mom no longer has two sons,,,, When I got the calls telling me he's no longer with us, the VERY FIRST thing they said as they were telling me was "There are a lot of people leaving really F'd up comments on the news feeds.
This will be my first time back since we were hit by the EF5. That's why he lived where the explosion was. We lost three homes and people that day too. I've never seen him be careless with chemicals/propane / gas / etc. Most jobs he's worked have substances to be cautious around. There's never been an issue. And TONS of people modify fireworks. It's nothing new. We have our entire lives. I see people do it every year. Most people I know have converted Picalo Petes into more explosive devices. Or modified things that others may or may not agree with. It just sounds like he was trying to be the cool friend/dad and this time, something bad and horrifically unexpected happened. By the way. Some of you people might care enough about the surviving children in the family to realize that the kids who just lost their father and uncle CAN read. They very likely will see this . I know this because when I got the call. The one saying I no longer have a brother and the kids no longer have a dad and Mom no longer has two sons,,,, When I got the calls telling me he's no longer with us, the VERY FIRST thing they said as they were telling me was "There are a lot of people leaving really F'd up comments on the news feeds. Try to not let it get to you. They are saying/accusing /degrading/judging imagining/ speculating/ sh?t that they really have zero business posting. I'm all for defending Freedom of speech. But, I also think if you use it just so you can disrespect the dead and their families then when Karma comes calling, you'll deserve it more than you are acting like we do. Just because you can, doesn't make it okay or mean you should.
I see a couple of you are lucky you posted anonymously. Fair warning..... We will never ever get to see him or speak with him ever again in life.... Considering that in itself, let alone the fact that he can no longer be here to defend his own from lames like YOU himself, I have no issue at all catching a case to get to defend him just one last time. He's 7 years younger than I am. When we were young, I didn't let older a-holes who he couldn't defend himself from just treat/talk/abuse/bully him however they wanted. There were consequences. Speaking of consequences, some of his closest friends in town are highly trained MMA guys, as well. They probably would love to beat me to the punch especially after the stuff you puked out onto us. . Did you think anyone would be better off or smarter or anything in any way or something when you farted all that out? Because, if you think or thought or are now thinking that you were doing anything besides being a douche for all that? Then you are an even bigger douche than we thought. The type of douche to use a disguise. You couldn't even speak evilness on there as yourself. Not like a real Man would at all. Nope, you chose to hurt people anonymously. Once again, very TELLING. Especially of the idiot with the LOL in his lame, comment. Saying stuff that ONLY a clown on the outside, yet coward on the inside could even think to say. . , Only a POS, lame would ever think to say, let alone type and hit send to , such a thing. . No real man and especially no one who If anyone on this page is commenting nonsense or reading these and has a problem with what I am saying, then SHOW UP to the funeral. Ask for me. My name is on my comment. We can easily make an appointment to meet up afterword and discuss it. I know if he were here you wouldn't say it to his face. Anonymous pricks. I really hope you will erase your negative comments for the kids and our Mom. I don't expect you to but, I would feel a lot better knowing that when baby girl comes home from the hospitals, she won't have to process seeing that along with everything else. If you do, I will take back what I said. If not, you're truly a douchebag.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family friends and people that knew and loved Justin God bless you all
Amen Eric!!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and Brylee. I'm so sorry for your loss. He was a good man and a dear friend of mine
. And he will be greatly missed.
Amen Eric. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, your family, and Brylee. Justin is a very dear friend of mine and a he will be greatly missed!!! So sorry for your loss. People can be so cruel and miserable and agree with you totally!!!!
Thanks to the BBB and MAGAs many hospitals any thing to any people, They will be closed permanently.
But as some MAGA Senators say "We're all going to die."
These things are the lord's work.
Any suggestion that bad choices made by mortals have anything to do with these type of accidents it are akin to sacrilege.
Rest in peace Justin, Brylee Is one of my best friends and I feel so sad for her and her family and to all the people saying it was a meth lab if you really got to know who lived there you would know they would not have a meth lab in their shed yes he had a past but if that's all you know about him then you have no right to assume the worst he did not deserve to die. I went to school with Brylee And his son Lucas they were some of the nicest people I knew. I'm sorry for your loss
Eric Branagan/Rankin, we all are sorry for your loss and the rest of the families and friends' loss.
People have to be careful modifying, experimenting with any explosive items, this time it took Justin's life as well it could have taken his daughters, his mothers and any close by neighbors' lives, his house or other nearby homes - was his poor decisions to modify them to get a larger Boom, really worth it? The clear answer is NO! Now he will never see thousands of things in his daughter's life, because of his poor decisions. Just because you see others modifying or experimenting with fireworks every day, does not make it a smart thing to do, hopefully others who read about this tragedy and will think twice before trying to do the same thing and leave a legacy of death and destruction over trying to create or modify fireworks, it is not worth the possible death and destruction of anyone or anything.
All it takes is one bad decision in your life to throw everything away.
Plus, people always speculate on things without getting the whole story, part of human nature to always look at the worst-case scenario before understanding what has happened. Justin had a very colorful past and several legal issues, with over 40-cases on case net and with over 10-cases just in 2024 and 2025, some drug related. So, you can see how people would speculate about these incidents being drug related, based on what was occurring in his life. People need to stop making bad decisions if they ever want to try and have a normal life. Maybe others out there can learn from what has happened and get their life back on track and stop trying to live on shortcuts and outside the law, especially if you have responsibilities of a family.
This is a terrible and tragic situation for all. Eric Branagan, stated "I have no issue at all catching a case to get to defend him just one last time." Your brother did stupid things as well as you have, why continue that type of attitude, you both are on Missouri case net, over 43-times, so stop worrying about what others are saying and spend that time and effort trying to get what is left of your lives and your families back on track and living the right way. Threating others only compounds what has occurred and will not bring your brother back or correct all the things he or you have done. Make changes in your life and stop repeating these dumb patterns from your past.
He will be missed by many. Prayers to the families involved.
Rural hospitals are almost a thing of the past. Clinics that stayed open 7 days/week are scaling back.
My condolences.
Thank you
His record is not yours or anyone's business.
What the hell
Agreed
Wow placing names of people completely uninvolved is ignorant
Wow loser their business is not yours. Get a life. He was an amazing man and his brother has the right to respond to idiots like you. CP
Clearly the way you are addressing him, you don't even know him everyone is clearly aware what choice shouldn't have been made. You have no business even speaking. Didn't your parents tell you " you don't have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all."
Could you share this knowledge, you claim. Please explain what were the opportunities given , you claim he was given.
I promise to stand up against any of these lames, senselessly talking trash
7:25PM - Yes, this is a sad situation and all sorry it happened. But if he had blown-up your house, your neighbor's house, or killed other family members or his neighbors, because he wanted the thrill of making Illegal Fireworks / Bombs - would it be our business - would we have the right to respond to you idiots or should everyone use this as warning - NOT TO DO STUPID THINGS, BECAUSE IT HAS CONSEQUENCES - and No-One has the Right to Threaten Others for speculating - this Guy had current Drug Cases and had caught another 10 Legal Cases in 2024 and 2025, don't tell any of us he had turned his live around - this is just the stuff that he got caught at - he was no choir boy - and his brother Eric Branagan, in November 09, 2010 was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child - and Sentenced to 2-Years Probation - So he shouldn't be Threatening anyone - so stickup for whoever you want but you better understand who you are going to bat for.
I'm a local carpenter and last year out in Pittsburgh a older gentleman just got done mowing his yard with his riding lawn mower when he pulled it back in he didn't realize it but the lawnmower knocked over a few things one of them being a gas can with fuel in it the shed explored because the gas light fire amd heated up the tank anything could of happend to assume things about people is ignorant and that's what is wrong with the human race these days.. I mean for love of God his family is dealing with anough right now not having to read these comments.... have some empathy
Thanks Casey Reed. You have blood on your hands again. Keep puffing your pipe while you still can.
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