Investigators Will Return To Explosion Scene For Final Time

by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)

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Investigators Will Return To Explosion Scene For Final Time

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By Jim Pinkerton

Story Created: Oct 4, 2007 at 8:31 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 5, 2007 at 11:47 AM EST

(WSBT) Investigators will return to the scene of a house explosion Friday for the final time. They believe a gas-powered water heater or furnace may be responsible for the explosion two weeks ago near the Michigan-Indiana line. Retired South Bend Police Officer John Floyd was home and suffered severe burns. He died a few days later.

Dumpsters now sit in driveways where cars used to be, and contractors were out Thursday inspecting some of the homes.

The only thing that's been left untouched is Floyd's home. But investigators will be back Friday to collect their final pieces of evidence. Neighbors say that's when they'll be able to move on.

Debris still hangs in trees, but crime scene tape is coming down. Traffic is flowing now that barricades used to keep gawkers out are gone.

"To get in and out of home, we'd have to stop and move the barricade. That was a little rough," says Kim, a neighbor.

The most visible damage to her Arbor Pointe Drive home was the roof over the porch. But a shattered storm door forced Kim and her family out of the home for three days.

They were one of eight families evacuated but they're the only ones back home.

"The bulk of our neighbors aren't here, so it's like a ghost town," she says.

But when neighbors look out their front window, the first thing they see is what's left of John Floyd's home and the memorial that's still standing in front of it.

"There's no real closure for the neighborhood because it's so real and fresh. It's there to look at every day," says Tommy Lee, Kim's husband.

Neighbors say it will be a relief to see investigators leave the neighborhood.

"The neighborhood has had a big scar on it, and having the last of the cleanup taking care of after the investigation is over is going to go miles towards getting life back to normal," says Tommy Lee.

But he and Kim say life won't be back to normal until everyone comes home and that could take time.

"Our neighbors can't live in their houses, and some are going to be displaced until Christmas or after. It's almost normal with a little reminder here and there," says Tommy Lee.

Several insurance companies and attorneys will also be at Floyd's home for the last inspection.

The rest of the evidence will be taken to the crime lab, which investigators anticipate will be tied up for several weeks.

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