Investigators work to determine a cause of deadly explosion

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Dozens of investigators are pouring over the south side explosion site, working to pinpoint the exact cause of the deadly blast.

Just as the rebuilding and recovery process will likely take months at the Richmond Hill subdivision, it could also take that long to determine why it happened in the first place.

Chad Ford is the Indiana Chapter president of the International Association of Arson Investigators. Ford isn't involved in this investigation, but explained to 24-Hour News 8 how investigations like this work.

First, they pinpoint an origin. Investigators typically work from the areas of least damage to the worst.

“They’re going to be documenting the scene, taking a lot of photographs, and looking at different patterns,” explained Ford. “Once you ID what you believe to be your origin, then you do a dig-out, remove debris, sift through it, look for indicators that might lead to a cause.”

IFD said Monday investigators are now testing the appliances from destroyed homes in Richmond Hill.

“They’re going to look at all different appliances, stoves, ovens, water heater, furnace,” said Ford. “They’ll be looking at recalls, if appliances have recalls, looking at whether they were installed properly or improperly.”

The biggest thing he wants to emphasize is patience.

“This could be a lengthy process to get to the truth.”

24-Hour News 8 spoke with an arson investigator simply because they can give insight into investigations like this one.

Monday, Citizens Energy said there were no leaks in the gas lines leading to the home.