The explosion at NFL star Caleb Farley’s home that killed his father was caused by a natural gas explosion, investigators confirmed Tuesday.
The explosion occurred at the home purchased for his father by Tennessee Titans cornerback Farley at around noon on Tuesday in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Robert Farley, 61, was found as crew searched through the rubble of the building. His tragic death comes nearly six years after Caleb’s mother, Robin, died of breast cancer in January 2018 at the age of 53.
The Iredell County Fire Marshal’s Office released a report WSOC TV, An investigation into the incident followed on Tuesday, which determined that the explosion was caused by a natural gas explosion.
Investigators believe the explosion was an accident and started in a bedroom, but the exact origin is still unknown.
Caleb Farley’s father Robert has died after a house collapsed in North Carolina last week – nearly six years after his mother Robin died of cancer when she was just 53
Investigators have determined that the tragedy was caused by a natural gas explosion
Caleb Farley, pictured at the scene after a home he owned collapsed in North Carolina
Caleb sits and surveys the damage and devastation following a shocking accident to his family
The fire department’s office cannot continue the investigation because of the “instability of the remaining structure.” It said that “remaining investigations will be conducted by the owner’s insurance company.”
Dominion Energy, which serves the home, told Channel 9 last week it had had representatives from first responders on the scene.
“We continue to work with emergency personnel on this ongoing investigation,” Dominion Energy said in a statement.
He was filmed at the scene last Tuesday morning and reportedly spoke to authorities, but was not present at the property at the time of the explosion.
Neighbors were quoted by QCN that they were smoking gas around the time of the explosion.
Neighbor Pete Schuerger told WBTV.com, “It was like Armageddon. Insulation came from the air like snow, stones down the street, hundreds of feet away, chunks of wood. Pretty devastating to see that big explosion.”
“The 6,391-square-foot home is a total loss,” Iredell County Emergency Management said in a press release quoted by USA Today.
Authorities have yet to give an official cause of the explosion and an investigation is underway.
Robert Farley (left) was 61 when he died while another person was injured in the blast
A car is seen under the rubble – the explosion is described as ‘Armageddon’
The full extent of the damage was visible Tuesday morning on aerial images of the property
A photo of the home owned by the NFL and Titans star before it collapsed
Photos from the scene show the Mooresville property reduced to rubble.
The house was listed for sale in 2022 for $2 million and was built in 2016. It had four bedrooms and four bathrooms.
Born in Maiden, North Carolina, Farley is a cornerback for the Titans who will reportedly start the 2023 season on the reserve/PUP list after the tragedy. He was drafted in 2021, after playing for Virginia Tech in college.
This isn’t the first time Farley has faced tragedy and he credits it to his late mother, Robin, for instilling in him his faith in God.”
He told the Titans website, “She filled my heart with the love of God and that’s why I am where I am today.”
In March 2021, Caleb said of his mother’s final days, “It sounds selfish, but she was in so much pain it was hard to sit still. It was so constant: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It would hurt you. She is in a better place now because this world is turning evil. She shouldn’t have been here. Every day the world grows further away from God.’
robert told NFL.Com how he knew Caleb was destined for great things as a child.
“He wasn’t even two or three years old when I told my wife he was determined to make a mark in some way,” said Robert Farley. “I told her I hoped it would be more positive than negative, but I knew he would make a mark on this world in some way. And it wouldn’t be a small number. He would become famous.’
Caleb, who is 24, has previously said that his late mother taught him his faith
Farley is recovering from back surgery that prematurely ended his 2022 Titans season
The Titans were filmed last Tuesday kneeling and praying for Farley during a workout.
Titans running back Derrick Henry said of Farley, “I pray for Caleb. He was one of the last in the dressing room last night and kept hanging around.
“I don’t want to talk about it too much, I don’t know all the details. I pray for him, pray for his family. We all express our condolences. A tragic situation.’
Another teammate, Kevin Byard, said: “I texted him this morning to say I’m thinking about him. Caleb is a big believer, he has a lot of faith and I told him to lean on his faith as hard as he can.
“I know he also lost his mother at a young age, he has had many setbacks. It’s very tragic.
“As a team, as a brother, I can only be there for him. It’s gonna be tough. It’s an unimaginable tragedy.
“Last year I lost my mother in the camp and the only advice I can give to someone going through something like this is to lean on your faith.
“I felt in a very dark place for a while. Know that God does not make mistakes, no matter how hard it sounds and how hard it can be. You have to lean into it, you can end up in a very dark place.”
Mike Vrabel, the Titans coach, said, “What’s important is that we’re doing everything we can to support Caleb and his family. We’ll do everything we can.’