City to update residents displaced by explosion Monday

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - As the investigation into the deadly explosion on the south side of Indianapolis on Saturday night continues, the city is hoping to answer questions for the nearly three dozen families who still haven’t been allowed to return to their homes.

The Department of Code Enforcement is planning two meetings Monday for victims, one at 11 a.m. and the other at 6 p.m., both at Southport Presbyterian Church, 7525 McFarland Blvd.

The exact cause of the explosion has yet to be discovered, though Rep. Andre Carson said Homeland Security investigators’ preliminary findings indicate it was not a bomb or a meth lab. Citizens Energy has said thus far they have found no indication of a gas leak prior to the explosion.

The city said 80 homes were damaged in the blast that killed a Greenwood teacher and her husband and destroyed two homes. More than 30 homes may be so damaged that they’ll have to be torn down.

Greenwood schools were on a two-hour delay Monday after the death of Jennifer Longworth, who had taught at Southwest Elementary School for 12 years.

Victims are also being offered breakfast through 8:30 a.m. Monday morning at Southport Presbyterian, which has become a donation center. The Red Cross, however, notes that supplies are plentiful, and monetary gifts are the best way to help right now. If you want to donate, go to redcross.org. Gift cards to stores and restaurants can also be dropped off at the church.