The Herald Bulletin - Man critically injured in house explosion

Fri, Nov 20 2009

Breaking News: Former mayor accepts Clinton County job November 20, 2009 05:39 pm

Resources

Print this story

Post to del.icio.us

Photos

Firefighters look for hot spots as they overhaul a house destroyed by an explosion Tuesday in Alexandria. One person was injured in the explosion and was reported to be in critical condition in Wishard Hospital's burn unit.
Don Knight / The Herald Bulletin

The house was already collapsed when firefighters arrived on the scene.
Don Knight / The Herald Bulletin

Next-door neighbor Nick McCormick said he was inside his house on the phone when he heard the explosion, which was so loud it prompted his cousin, who was on the other end of the line, to ask what happened.
Don Knight / The Herald Bulletin

The vinyl siding on the home next door was melted by the heat of the fire.
Don Knight / The Herald Bulletin

The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the state fire marshal was called in to help investigate.
Don Knight / The Herald Bulletin

No firefighters were injured during the response, which was assisted by Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department, Summitville-Van Buren Township Volunteer Fire Department, Pipe Creek Township Volunteer Fire Department and Madison County Emergency Management Agency.
Don Knight / The Herald Bulletin

Published September 29, 2009 11:27 pm - A man was in critical condition Tuesday night after a house he was in exploded in Alexandria.
Derek Noland, 20, was in Indianapolis’ Wishard Hospital’s burn unit, a hospital spokesman said.

Man critically injured in house explosion
Alexandria house unoccupied, but used for storage

ALEXANDRIA — A man was in critical condition Tuesday night after a house he was in exploded in Alexandria.

Derek Noland, 20, was in Indianapolis’ Wishard Hospital’s burn unit, a hospital spokesman said.

Noland was in the house at 819 W. Adams St. when an explosion came from the house, rocking the quiet westside neighborhood. He suffered burns and was taken to Community Hospital in Anderson, where he was airlifted to Wishard.

“He was burned pretty bad,” said Chris Noland, Derek Noland’s father and the owner of the house.

Alexandria firefighters responded to a call of an explosion with a man inside at 5:56 p.m. Tuesday, Capt. Jim King said.

“The house was fully involved and already collapsed” when firefighters arrived, King said.

It took at least 30 minutes to get the flames under control, King said, and firefighters still were fighting hot spots more than an hour later, using heavy equipment to move sections of the charred, fallen roof and frame.

Shards of glass and pieces of vinyl siding and gutters littered the yards of neighbors after the explosion. The siding of the houses on either side of 819 W. Adams St. was warped and melted. Damage was estimated later at $100,000.

“I heard a boom,” he said. “I went outside and the house was in flames.”

McCormick said after seeing the burning house, he saw Derek Noland walking around with burns as if he were in a daze.

No one lived in the house, but it was owned by Chris Noland, who lives next door and uses the house for storage, Chris Noland said.

“I know there was an explosion, but I don’t know what happened,” he said.

King said the cause of the fire was under investigation, and the state fire marshal was called in to help investigate.

Alexandria police said there were gasoline cans stored in the house, but it was unclear whether that contributed to the explosion.

Popular business directory searches