Investigators say the cause of a South Omaha home explosion remains undetermined, nearly a month later.
On Thursday the Omaha Fire and Police Departments released a joint statement saying that the December 8th explosion was still under investigation. The explosion near 51st and L killed the home's owner 73 year old Theresa Toledo, her daughter 46 year old Angela Miller and her grandson 28 year old Alexander Toledo. The explosion also injured Theresa's 72 year old boyfriend and killed a dog in the home.
According to the release, there was a natural gas release inside the house which was ignited, but by several possible sources. An ignition source could be a furnace, pilot light on the water heater, electrical system, etc. Investigators say they have not found the cause of the gas release at this time, but say additional examination will be conducted.
The Omaha Police Department’s Homicide Unit has conducted numerous interviews and have not found evidence or indications that criminal activity caused the gas to be released into the house, according to the release. Investigators have declared the deaths of Theresa Toledo, Angela Miller, and Alexander Toledo as deaths-unknown.
Theresa Toledo had filed a domestic abuse protection order against her grandson Alexander Toledo days before the explosion. She was concerned for her safety and “afraid he will start my house on fire.”
“I need Alex out of my house now before he destroys my house or harms me,” she wrote in the filing. “The drugs make him crazy.”
(Photo by WOWT 6 News)