# Deadly Indianapolis Blast, any thoughts on what may have caused it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 12, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734 "2012-11-12T00:27:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/41 "2012-11-12T21:04:44Z")
From what I’m reading, there was a single explosion and the sheer force obliterated two houses. New report: Ex-husband of the woman whose house was involved said their [daughter texted him a week and a half ago that the furnace was out](http://www.usatoday.com/article/news/nation/2012/11/12/indianapolis-explosion/1700053/). Everyone was out of the house that exploded, including their cat being at a boarder, so WAG - furnace was not fixed, they were staying elsewhere in the meantime, and gas leaked, built up, and went boom. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/42 "2012-11-12T21:46:45Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > why would a second home explode as well? Peer pressure? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/43 "2012-11-13T03:08:28Z")
I’m actually in Indianapolis this week for work. Took the day today to take in some sights, and after that I tried to drive into that neighborhood but it’s completely blocked off. Even with my story of visiting a friend at the next street over, even with a phony address, they wouldn’t let me in. The damage from that explosion is incredible. In 1989, after the Loma Prieta earthquake when I lived in San Francisco, I got into the Marina District a few days after the quake. I told the cops I was a freelance photographer with the college newspaper - almost but not quite true. I got some cool pictures of the damage. This was after all the searches for people were completed. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/44 "2012-11-13T06:25:46Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > That was in Bourne too, after the spy on spy fight scene. He set it off with a magazine in a toaster It was also in the hilarious (at least to me), x rated, definitely NSFW graphic novel “Squeak the Mouse”.[Pages 40 & 41.](https://mycotopia.net/forums/lifestyles/31826-mattiolis-squeak-mouse.html) ---
**Author:** ![Kobalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/41988e/32.png) [@Kobalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobalt)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/45 "2012-11-13T08:19:12Z")
[QUOTE] A drone fired Hellfire missile? [/QUOTE It was caused by a drone crashing into the house, eighty people were killed and twenty homes were destroyed. At least that’s what a friend told me tonight. Yes, she’s a massive conspiracy theorist. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/46 "2012-11-13T08:24:54Z")
[Here’s an article from an Indianapolis source](http://www.indystar.com/article/20121112/NEWS/121112012/Families-impacted-by-explosion-express-grief-sorrow-gratitude?odyssey=nav%7Chead&nclick_check=1). An exploding furnace is one explanation but not proven. The authorities say natural gas is somehow involved but won’t get more specific than that. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/47 "2012-11-13T18:38:48Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > If gas is so dangerous, why don’t more places use electric heat? We have a gas heater in our home and it freaks me out every time it comes on with the auto pilot light. There is blue hot flames encased in a giant metal drum inside a wooden utility closet. It does not seem safe at all. > > and P.S. I know electricity can cause plenty of fires, but electrical fires don’t generally cause explosions. Gas isn’t that dangerous; these sorts of explosions don’t happen all that often. for heating things, electricity is far more expensive than gas. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/48 "2012-11-13T18:49:34Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Gas isn’t that dangerous; these sorts of explosions don’t happen all that often. > > for heating things, electricity is far more expensive than gas. I always thought gas was more expensive ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/49 "2012-11-13T18:56:01Z")
> [@April\_R](#): > > I always thought gas was more expensive Propane, a byproduct of gasoline distillation, is. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/50 "2012-11-13T20:42:41Z")
> [@Kobalt](#): > > It was caused by a drone crashing into the house, eighty people were killed and twenty homes were destroyed. 80 / 20 = 4 persons per household. Ah, a nuclear family. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/51 "2012-11-14T07:28:35Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Ah, a nuclear family. A nuclear blast!!! so _that’s_ the real story!!! Now I can tell all my friends. Hey I know it’s true, 'cause I read it on the internet!!! Let’s all spread the word! But don’t forget…tell 'em that it must be because Osama Bin Laden is stll alive\* and planning more attacks. (\*just like Elvis. oh…and JFK.) (okay, folks, I’m sorry for being obnoxious. Obviously, it’s a tragedy for everybody involved. But for the rest of us, it’s fun to speculate about. Plus, I 've never started a conspiracy theory before, and this might be my only opportunity. ) ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/52 "2012-11-19T23:29:18Z")
[Now they’re calling it a homicide.](http://www.indystar.com/article/20121119/NEWS/121119040/Prosecutor-Homeland-Security-chief-call-Richmond-Hill-explosion-criminal-homicide) ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/53 "2012-11-20T01:34:39Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Or a small bit of antimatter 😃 …or even David Spade stamping his feet & shouting, “The Devil told you that! The Devil told you that!” ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/54 "2012-11-20T01:53:32Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > It was also in the hilarious (at least to me), x rated, definitely NSFW graphic novel “Squeak the Mouse”.[Pages 40 & 41.](https://mycotopia.net/forums/lifestyles/31826-mattiolis-squeak-mouse.html) OMG, what the hell did I just read? Why did I just read? OMG, I can never unsee. Seriously NSFW:( ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/55 "2012-11-20T01:58:47Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > [Now they’re calling it a homicide.](http://www.indystar.com/article/20121119/NEWS/121119040/Prosecutor-Homeland-Security-chief-call-Richmond-Hill-explosion-criminal-homicide) Wow, well that is a twist. An intentional explosion. However, I think the reward money is a bit low-ball considering 2 people died and about 4 million is damage was caused by the blast > [@](#): > > Officials also announced two rewards are being offered – one for $1,000 from Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana and $10,000 from ATF – for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the blast. ---
**Author:** ![Nerdessence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/47e85d/32.png) [@Nerdessence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nerdessence)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/56 "2012-11-20T15:52:57Z")
This entire story makes me sick. My husband and I live about 2.5 miles away, so we heard and felt the boom, which was like a combination of thunder, a car crash, and a firework. Then we heard the insanity of every siren-bearing vehicle in the area centering on the blast area. Needless to say, we didn’t sleep well that night. I was still going to bed cautious until the weekend. You just don’t forget that kind of scare easily. The evidence looks bad for the woman and her boyfriend. I don’t care who did it or why, I just want them caught. And yes, lots of conspiracy nutters around here. My in-laws were already suggesting “Islamic people” from day one. Now the drone theory is popular, but the meth lab theory was really gaining ground until they said homicide. To me, it makes sense that criminally-inclined people in debt would hatch a clumsy scheme to get insurance money, never expecting the level of carnage we were left with. I suppose we’ll find out. I hope we do. If it is a random psycho, I don’t want him/her coming to MY neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/57 "2012-11-20T22:09:22Z")
Local news just reported… gas intentionally leaked into house… two people in custody. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/58 "2012-11-21T13:46:57Z")
If they’re the ones who did this, I hope they rot in jail. ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/59 "2012-11-21T18:17:26Z")
People have been brought in for questioning, but no one is in custody yet: [Police take 2 people in for questioning](http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/police-take-2-people-in-for-questioning-after-executing-search-warrant-related-to-explosion) ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734/60 "2012-11-26T11:24:34Z")
[Demolitions ordered for 29 homes in Indianapolis neighborhood where house explosion killed 2](http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/demolitions-ordered-for-29-homes-in-indianapolis-neighborhood-where-house-explosion-killed-2/2012/11/21/466b0aca-3439-11e2-92f0-496af208bf23_story.html) > [@](#): > > INDIANAPOLIS — Demolitions have been ordered for more than two dozen homes in a blast-ravaged Indianapolis neighborhood where a house explosion that killed two people is being investigated as a homicide case, officials said Wednesday. > > The 29 homes slated for razing amounts to nearly a quarter of the 125 houses in the subdivision where the Nov. 10 explosion destroyed five homes and damaged dozens more, leaving some on the brink of collapse. No arrests have been made in the blast, which investigators believe was intentionally set and caused by natural gas. That’s a large proportion of houses in that subdivision. Those unfortunate folks, unable to enjoy their homes during the holidays. And winter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadly-indianapolis-blast-any-thoughts-on-what-may-have-caused-it/640734.md?page=4)