POLICE BLAME BLAST ON BOTCHED SUICIDE IF MAN RECOVERS, HE FACES CHARGES IN DESTRUCTION OF FIVE HOUSES, DAMAGE TO DOZENS MORE.(MAIN)

Byline: R.B. FALLSTROM Associated Press

JENNINGS, Mo. A man who apparently tried to kill himself by turning on the gas and blowing up his home survived the explosion that demolished at least five houses and damaged dozens of others.

James Kimble, 32, was in critical condition at St. John's Mercy Medical Center on Tuesday with second- and third-degree burns over nearly half of his body. He also suffered a deep skull wound and a broken leg and ankle.

Police Chief James Trentham said Kimble hadn't regained consciousness since shortly after Kimble's house blew up Sunday afternoon.

Kimble was wearing only a pair of white briefs when …