By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
QUANICASSEE — Although an intense investigation is underway, it will still take time to sort through the evidence to try to find the exact cause of an October fire in Wisner Township that seriously injured an elderly man.
“Finally, all 17 people that need to be involved will be able to get together Tuesday (Nov. 26). They will take and process evidence,” said Akron Fire Chief Marv Hasso about the Oct. 1 explosion that severally injured Douglas Shippey’s home at 9374 Owen Rd, while he was reportedly trying to light his oven.
Until all of the parties could be brought together to determine a possible cause of the fire, the scene is the responsibility of the local fire chief.
“By Thanksgiving, this will no longer be my responsibility,” said Hasso.
Some of the possible causes being looked at are: did the cook stove or other propane appliance in the home malfunction to cause a gas leak, was there an issue with the propane line, or did recent water line work some how damage the gas line, or was it operator error.
“They (the players involved) all have to be on scene at the same time during the investigation,” explained Hasso.
While the ignition source that caused the explosion is known, the stove, what isn’t known is the source of where the gas came from that caused it.
During such an investigation, the companies that manufactured the stove, furnace, dryer, and/or hot water heater if they are natural gas or propane all have to be present as well as the propane company and others.
The investigation has to be done methodically and in a certain manner.
Since the explosion, the scene has had to be left the way it was. The property is fenced off with a tarp over it to preserve it until the investigation is complete.
According to Hasso, even with all the evidence to exam and experts brought to bear an “an exact cause may never be able to be determined.”
Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.