Investigators from the Calhoun Fire Department, Atlanta Gas and Light, State Fire Marshall, and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner continue to look for clues as to why the home of Brian and Deborah McDaniel, 168 Saddle Mount Dr., exploded around 3:30 p.m. yesterday. No one was injured nor was anyone taken to the hospital from the blast felt as far away as Plainville. Nearby homes were knocked off of their foundation and others had windows blown out, including frames.
According to Richard Cooper, Director of Emergency Management, contractors may come by and board up houses only at the request of homeowners.
“If a specific homeowner requests a contractor, they will be allowed in. All others will be turned away,” said Cooper, adding that several houses had already been boarded.
Earlier today, homeowners were allowed to retrieve their belongings, accompanied by firefighter escorts.
John Oxendine, Georgia’s Insurance Commissioner, will hold a town hall meeting Saturday to further help residents displaced by the explosion. Oxendine stressed that homeowners can call his office anytime during business hours after that.
“We will help with insurance issues and make sure the insurance companies are with them and taking care of them,” he said. Oxendine came to survey damage today.
Oxendine said that local agencies, depending on the policy, should be able to cut checks immediately to help displaced residents get a place to stay.
Oxendine said that because the damage is contained within a small area and not spread out over the county, adjusters should be on scene today and tomorrow.
“If (homeowners) are being told a week, they need to call my office and we can help with that,” he said.
“The damage is very similar to a tornado,” said Glenn Allen, one of the commissioners representatives in Calhoun.
The commissioner will hold a town hall meeting Saturday at 10 a.m. also at Gordon County Fire Station One, 400 Belwood Dr.,
Authorities are unsure if the early-afternoon explosion originated inside or outside the home.
Terry Mills, City of Calhoun deputy fire chief, said Atlanta Gas Light was investigating the underground gas lines, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will also be investigating.
“As of right now we still believe it was an explosion due to some kind of build up of gas,” Mills said.
Alan Chapple, manager of communications with Atlanta Gas and Light said customers in the neighborhood are still without gas.
Investigators are unsure whether the actual explosion was inside the three-story home or outside.
All entrances to the subdivision are guarded and homeowners who want to enter, must do so, and leave through Three Oaks Drive, where officers are allowing access. Anyone wanting in must be a resident and must be escorted by a fireman.
“We don’t want them to move things that could be unsafe and the house collapse,” said Cooper.
As for the curious, Cooper said they should not come out.
“We had a big issue with people wanting to look. You don’t know if they are looters are just curious,” he said.
Cooper added that law enforcement officers reported instances through out the night of nonresidents coming back, but had no “issues” with people trying to sneak in.
“They were told to leave and they left,” he said.
Security will be in the neighborhood until the scene is turned back over to homeowners.
Cooper said anyone wishing to help should contact Trinity Baptist Church and Belmont Baptist Church.
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