1 killed, 2 injured in Jeffersonville, Indiana home explosion

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WAVE) - One person died and two others were injured after a home exploded in Jeffersonville on Sunday morning.

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It happened just before 5 a.m. in the 900 block of Assembly Road, in the Capital Hills neighborhood, according to the Jeffersonville Fire Department. A Facebook post (below) originally said the scene was in the 900 block of Senate Avenue, but a tweet from the fire department corrected the address to indicate the 900 block of Assembly Road.

Jeffersonville Fire Chief Eric Hedrick told a WAVE 3 News photographer that the home where the blast originated from was “completely damaged.”

“Twelve to 15-to-20 houses have sustained some sort of damage,” Hedrick said. “I would say five to six of those have sustained considerable damage and may not be able to be occupied. We’re in the process now of doing our secondary research. That’s where we go back and look at all the affected residents to make sure that no one is in there. A more thorough search to make sure no one is in there.”

The name of the person who was killed was not immediately available. Hedrick said two other victims were being treated at University of Louisville Hospital.

Officials issued a statement Sunday afternoon, saying in part:

“The Jeffersonville Police Department will maintain security and portions of the 900 block of Assembly Rd. will be closed for safety. The Jeffersonville Street Department is on scene and cleaning the debris from the roadway; however, the area will continue to be closed for the next several days. There are several pieces of debris in elevated positions that pose a safety risk if they were to fall. Numerous houses near the explosion have been condemned by the Jeffersonville Building Commissioner due to structural damage.”

Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore issued the following statement:

“The City of Jeffersonville is deeply saddened by Sunday’s home explosion. At this time, we know one life has been lost and others were injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the entire Capitol Hills neighborhood.

We greatly appreciate our first responders and depend on them at a time like this.

We are a strong community and are lucky to live in an area that cares about its neighbors. This impacts us all.”

Vectren gas company officials confirmed the house that exploded belonged to a Vectren customer. Officials with the gas company said they’re at the scene to help with the investigation, and have shut off service to 14 additional homes in the area.

It’s not clear what caused the explosion.

Jeffersonville Fire Department tweeted Sunday afternoon that the explosion was not caused by a meth lab:

Indiana Rep. Trey Hollingsworth issued the following statement:

Kelly and I are praying for our Jeffersonville neighbors and are thankful for our fire fighters and first responders for their quick response to this morning’s explosion. Tragedies are a time for Hoosiers to pull together to help out our friends, neighbors, and fellow Americans, and I am certain this particular loss will be no different.

The Jeffersonville Police Department and Indiana State Police are among the agencies investigating the incident.

The American Red Cross and First Christian Church are providing aid for those affected in the area.

Sunday night, the Jeffersonville Fire Department took to Twitter to share news of a happy reunion.

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