33 homes face demolition, 90 damaged in explosion

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Officials have increased the number of homes they say were damaged in the Nov. 10 explosion in the Richmond Hill subdivision.

On Wednesday, officials with the Department of Code Enforcement said they planned to demolish 33 homes in the subdivision. As of 2:30 p.m., the department had issued 29 orders for demolition, with another four planned.

PHOTOS | View images from the explosion

Property owners were notified of the demolition orders in a number of ways — either by email, in person, or through notices that were posted on their properties. Code enforcement says homes earmarked for demolition had to meet a clear guidelines established by the state.

"State statue says it has to pose a danger to a person or an immediate property. So all of these properties meet that threshold which is why we've tagged them with this particular order. Right now we are able to provide a secure environment but as that goes away that risk increases, which is why we set these out along this time frame," said Adam Collins from Indianapolis Code Enforcement.

FULL COVERAGE | Read more about the explosion

As of Wednesday afternoon, no homeowners had submitted paperwork to object to demolition.

Overall, 90 homes were damaged by the blast that killed two people. This week, investigators said all accidental causes had been ruled out and the case became a homicide investigation.

Collins says demolition on the first six homes will begin on Monday. A second round of six homes is scheduled to be demolished on Dec. 3.

There is a way out. Some homeowners have the option to hire an engineer who will analyze and inspect their property and then submit a written plan to rebuild.

"The question is really going to come up I think for some homeowners on whether or not they want their homes to be repaired and that will be a decision for them and their insurance agencies," said Collins.