At a town meeting Wednesday, people who had their homes and businesses damaged heard some ideas on how to pick up the pieces and move on. They got tips about filing for insurance to possible demolition of their homes. Homeland Security investigators also told them they have a better idea of what caused the massive blast. Duane Hoeschen, from the Homeland Security Emergency Management Office in Minnesota, explained, "There was a propane-enriched environment inside the building. It found an ignition source somehow which could've been a water heater to anything else that ignited it and because of the build up of LP in the building, that's what caused the devastating explosion."
Jack Van Eck heard the explosion from his home just two blocks away. "That night was like nothing I'd experienced before." Jack had a worry other than his house. Jack's barber shop is just a hair from what the town is now calling 'Ground Zero.' "I've been here 40 and a half years, standing right on this spot. There's a crack in the ceiling up here. Of course the windows are broken out. It split the jam right here," he says pointing at the front door.
There's damage, but Jack considers himself lucky. Just across the street, the American Legion hall's ceiling is nearly caved in. A structural engineer says no one's allowed inside.
Van Eck's business looks to be okay for now and he already has appointments on the books. He hopes this small town can get through another tragedy, "Stick together, see if we can work it out."
Homeland Security investigators say an appliance inside the building could be to blame. It may have been leaking gas, and the gas built up causing the explosion.
Governor Pawlenty promised state funding if insurance money doesn't cover all the costs for the residents. But right now they're just concerned about being able to stay in their homes.
Surrounding communities are also helping out. Tracy, Minnesota has donated an ambulance, and some neighboring towns are letting them use their fire trucks. Mail service is being restored out of Woodstock, another small town in the area.
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