Hammond, IN – Debris from an explosion at a church annex Monday blew out windows at a home next door and landed on the home’s roof, officials said.
The cause of the explosion that burned a Bethel Congregational Church deacon remained under investigation Tuesday morning, but investigators were certain it was caused by natural gas, Hammond Fire Chief Jeff Smith said.
Investigators were out overnight, looking at furnaces, water heaters, stoves and other possible sources of natural gas.
NIPSCO wrapped up its part of the investigation early Tuesday after determining its equipment was not involved, spokeswoman Tara McElmurry said.
The explosion happened about 6 p.m. Monday at the annex at 816 Wilcox St. The deacon, who has not yet been identified, told investigators he smelled gas and was checking the building when “something blew up.”
Smith had no updates on the deacon’s condition Tuesday morning, he said.
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An alley separates the church from the annex building. The blast caused the roof of the annex to collapse, and firefighters eventually called in a demolition crew to lift up the roof so they could extinguish the fire underneath, Smith said.
“It was just like a pancake,” he said.
Heavy equipment remained at the site early Tuesday as the sun rose over Hammond, and a chain-link fence had been placed around the rubble to keep passers-by away. No damage was reported to the church itself, but the home next door recently had been rehabbed, Smith said.
A field adjuster from the church’s insurance company was expected to visit the site Tuesday, City Attorney Kris Kantar said.
It could take several days before a cause is determined, but the annex building’s fate is certain, Smith said.
“It’s definitely going to be torn down,” he said. “We just don’t know when.”