Police responded to an explosion on Elm Street in Laurel, Nebraska on Thursday (Image: AP)

Police have arrested an “everyman” after four bodies were found in two burning houses in a small Nebraska town.

Jason Jones, 42, was arrested around 2:30 a.m. Friday in connection with the Thursday morning death and fire in Laurel, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

Police found “physical evidence at the crime scene that points to the suspect living across the street,” said State Patrol Col. John Bolduc.

A SWAT team broke into Jones’ home Thursday night after Jones made several attempts to leave voluntarily. He was found with “severe burns over most of his body,” Bolduch said.

Jones was airlifted to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lincoln. He is believed to be in serious condition.

Jones was arrested on murder charges. I haven’t been able to make an appointment yet because I’m in the hospital.

The victims have been identified as Gene Twyford, 85, Janet Twyford, 86, Dana Twyford, 55, and Michelle Evering, 53.

All four victims were found dead from suspected gunshot wounds.

Bolduch praised the “heroic effort” of the Laurel Fire Department.

“Their efforts have preserved evidence that leads directly to the suspect,” Bolduch said.

Laurel police initially responded to an “explosion” at a home at 209 Elm Street early Thursday morning. During our investigation, we received another call that a fire had broken out at 503 Elm Street, just three blocks away. Jones was her neighbor and lived at 206 Elm Street.

Laurel is a small community of just 1,000 people about 100 miles north of Omaha.

Bolduch also highlighted the seriousness of the crime.

“I want to acknowledge the unspeakable pain this community is going through right now,” he said. “Add to that a betrayal of the trust they feel because members of the community here are said to have committed these crimes.”

Bordacchi did not know if any other arrests would be made in connection with the fire or the deaths. No,” he said.

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