Cause of fatal home explosion still under investigation

Evening News and The Tribune, The (Jeffersonville, IN)

May 20-- May 20--JEFFERSONVILLE -- Jeffersonville officials continue to assess the damage left behind by an early Sunday morning home explosion on Assembly Road in the city's Capitol Hills neighborhood.

A man inside the home died and a female resident was in critical condition at University of Louisville Hospital as of Sunday night. A woman who lived in a neighboring home was also injured but has since been released from the hospital. An 11-year-old girl who was sleeping on a couch in the living room of a home across the street sustained a broken collarbone when the ceiling collapsed on her. She has since returned to school.

Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore, along with a group of city leaders, toured the site of the explosion Monday afternoon. Moore said seeing the devastation up close took his breath away.

"I've seen houses come down before, but I've never seen foundations broken apart like what I just saw over there," he said. "I saw a lot of memories that are just shattered and in pieces now. Any keepsakes that we all have from time to time that our family puts a lot of value on, those are gone.

"But again, I cannot describe when you see a six or eight-inch concrete foundation that is totally broke apart. That's one horrific blast."

Jeffersonville Fire Department Sgt. Justin Ames said roughly 11 households were displaced. Vectren, the neighborhood's gas and electric provider, has put some of those residents in hotels and others are staying with family members, Moore said.

An official cause was not released by press time, but Ames told the News and Tribune that investigators were looking at natural gas, and that rumors of a meth lab had been ruled out. Jeffersonville Police Department Assistant Chief Scott McVoy said the scene remains active and under investigation. Officials will work to make sure the scene is safe before allowing residents in to retrieve belongings. In the meantime, police will patrol the area, McVoy said.

"For us that are working the scene, it is safe. But we don't want people roaming around inside the area at will because there are still a lot of dangers that you can and can't see," he added.

Moore said Vectren had secured "every gas line around here." City agencies, including police, fire, and the building commissioner's office, will continue working with Vectren to investigate the explosion and, when the time comes, clean up the site. Ames noted that the damage extends beyond the immediate are.

"Homes two blocks away have broken windows, they have siding that has been popped down... their attic spaces, they're missing their scuttle hole doors..." he said, adding that residents should report any suspected damage to their insurance as soon as possible. Moore recommended residents take photographs of any damage.

Moore said the city will continue to be on hand to help direct residents. The Red Cross, along with local churches and businesses, have also assisted.

"This shook our city and I grieve for the families involved in this," Moore said. "But again, this is one of the things I love about the City of Jeffersonville -- we are a city that comes together."

More information is expected to be released by Tuesday.

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