House explodes in flooded neighborhood in Munster, Indiana

A house exploded unleashing a fireball of debris on a Munster neighborhood under mandatory flood evacuation on Wednesday night. The explosion and the resulting fire damaged eight other houses in the area.

Town Manager Tom DeGiulio said firefighters were investigating the cause of the explosion that leveled the house in the 7900 block of Monroe Street around 7:20 p.m. The neighborhood is located southwest of the Borman Expressway and Calumet Avenue.

Town Manager Tom DeGiulio said firefighters were investigating the cause of the explosion that leveled the house in the 7900 block of Monroe Street around 7:20 p.m. The neighborhood is located southwest of the Borman Expressway and Calumet Avenue.

DeGiulio said NIPSCO shut off electricity and gas in part of the neighborhood, but there was gas still in the mains.

DeGiulio said NIPSCO shut off electricity and gas in part of the neighborhood, but there was gas still in the mains.

But the house that exploded had 3 or 4 feet of standing water and NIPSCO workers can't access submerged gas meters.

DeGiulio said the owner of the home was not inside at the time and firefighters were assured of his well being by his son. The two houses on either side of the explosion were vacant. There were no other injuries reported

"This is one reason we don't want people in the area at this time," DeGiulio said.

Munster resident Ed Kall said he was standing at the intersection of Monroe and Broadmoor talking to a friend on his cell phone, when he felt a boom that nearly knocked him off his feet.

"I felt the ground shake and saw a huge fireball about 50 feet in the air. Then there was nothing," Kall said.

DeGiulio said the amount of water in the area prevented the fire from spreading beyond the two houses on either side of the explosion.

Firefighters encountered waist-high waters and NIPSCO workers had to access the neighborhood via boats.

Emergency crews responded to reports of large explosion at Monroe Avenue and School Street, an area evacuated after this week's flooding, about 7:40 p.m., according to a release from the Town of Munster.

According to preliminary reports, three houses sustained significant damage and several other structures sustained minor damage. The residents of the three homes with the most damage have been all accounted for, the release said.

No injuries and fatalities have been reported, but crews are still investigating.

The area has been evacuated. Officials are asking people to stay out of the evacuation zone.

No Injuries Reported In Munster House Explosion
MUNSTER, Ind. (STNG) ― Emergency crews are on the scene of a house explosion in Munster, Ind. Wednesday night.

Emergency crews responded to reports of large explosion at Monroe Avenue and School Street, an area evacuated after this week's flooding, about 7:40 p.m., according to a release from the Town of Munster.

According to preliminary reports, three houses sustained significant damage and several other structures sustained minor damage. The residents of the three homes with the most damage have been all accounted for, the release said.

No injuries and fatalities have been reported, but crews are still investigating.

The area has been evacuated. Officials are asking people to stay out of the evacuation zone.

(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2006. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Three houses in a Munster neighborhood were rocked by an explosion Wednesday night, reports indicated.The explosion was reported to be in the vicinity of Monroe Avenue and School Street, which is near a shopping center.The cause of the explosions was unknown as of Wednesday evening. There were, however, reports that firefighters were searching for people who were possibly trapped by the explosion.

Firefighters waded through waist-deep water to get to the house while a NIPSCO crew arrived to address gas and power issues.

Early reports indicate more than one house was damaged.

There is no official word yet as to what caused the explosion.