Evansville, Indiana — Three people were killed Wednesday when a house exploded in the city of Evansville, Indiana, officials said.
Vanderborough County Chief Deputy Coroner Dave Anson told his Associated Press that the identities of the deceased would not be released until next of kin were notified.
Spokeswoman for the Evansville Police Department. Anna Gray said at least one other injury was reported and the victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Evansville Fire Chief Mike Connelly said a total of 39 homes were damaged in the blast around 1pm. He said the department had not confirmed how many homes were occupied when the explosion occurred.
At least 11 of the 39 homes damaged "I can't live there," Connery told the Evansville Courier & Press.
The cause of the explosion has not been determined, but is under investigation by the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Agency. A phone message seeking comment was left at the ATF's Evansville field office.
"Debris is strewn about in a 30-meter radius," Connery said, adding "typical construction materials" such as wood planks, window panes and insulation. said to include
Aerial video posted on social media shows damage to a residential area lined with police and fire engines at the site of Evansville on the Kentucky border.
Connery said the last time his local gas company, CenterPoint Energy, called him at his home was in January 2018. Centerpoint issued a statement saying it "worked with first responders to secure the area."
"CenterPoint Energy is working closely with the Evansville Fire Department, the State Fire Department, and other agencies as the investigation into this incident continues." Utility said.
Award about 2.5 blocks away from the site of the blast at his Trophies office. Employees said they panicked.
"We thought a tree had fallen on top of the building, or a car had driven into the area," said Baumgart. "Debris fell from the ceiling,"
she continued. We thought the building would collapse.
in the area, in just five years his two It was the second house explosion. killed two of him and injured three others in a house explosion on June 27, 2017.
Wednesday's blast was reminiscent of the 2012 blast that destroyed or damaged more than 80 of his homes south of Indianapolis and killed two people. A man was convicted of plotting insurance fraud and tampering with a natural gas line at his then-girlfriend's home in an explosion that killed two of his neighbors. The man, his half-brother and girlfriend all received lengthy prison sentences.
