HomeNewsOmaha House Explosion Likely Not Caused by Natural Gas

Omaha House Explosion Likely Not Caused by Natural Gas

12/9/2020

Investigators looking into the cause of a fatal house explosion in Omaha, Neb., have shifted their attention away from initial speculation that it might have been caused by a natural gas leak.

The Omaha World-Herald reported that a woman killed in the blast had filed a protection order against her 28-year-old grandson a day before the explosion, saying she feared the man would harm her and “start my house on fire,” court records show.

Omaha fire officials identified two people killed in the Tuesday morning blast as Theresa Toledo, 73, and Angela Miller, 45. Two others, Larry Rodriguez, 72, and Alexander Toledo, 28, were critically injured in the blast, officials said.

In court documents filed Monday, Theresa Toledo said she suspected her grandson was using methamphetamine and other drugs and asked a judge to order her grandson out of the house.

“He has electronics in the walls and ceiling. I'm afraid he will start my house on fire,” she wrote in the request.

A judge granted the domestic abuse protection order that same day.

Investigators have not officially ruled on the cause the blast, which was heard and felt miles away and was powerful enough to severely damage the homes on either side of the destroyed house. Omaha Battalion Chief Scott Fitzpatrick said told Omaha ABC affiliate KETV that he expects there will be a "lengthy" investigation of the blast. 

- Staff and wire report

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