Gas Company: Copper Theft Led to Home Explosion in Flordell Hills

Created: 5/9/2008 7:22:51 PM
Last updated: 5/9/2008 9:29:06 PM


By Ryan Dean


(KSDK) -- The Laclede Gas Company said a home explosion that happened last Friday in Flordell Hills was brought on by copper theft.

According to the gas company, someone came into that house, which was vacant at the time, and stole the gas and water pipes. The house then filled with gas, leading to the explosion.

However, the Jennings Police Department has not confirmed that report. Police said the county's bomb and arson unit would continue its own investigation into the explosion and probably would release the cause of the blast early next week.

Copper thefts have been on the rise in St. Louis and the surrounding area, police said. Thieves take the piping and sell it to scrap yards.

"If this concludes to be a copper theft, $100 worth of copper caused $100,000 worth of damage. It was not worth it if it was a theft. That's the risk burglars take, going into a vacant property. They could have tampered with a water line or gas line and they could have been in the house when it happened," said Sergeant Shawn Lane, Jennings Police Department.

Nineteen families were forced to vacate their homes when the explosion happened. Only one family has moved back in. City officials have told NewsChannel 5 they were inspecting the properties and more families should be able to move in by this weekend.


KSDK

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