The mayor of Louisville, Kentucky has proposed using a controlled burn to destroy an “extreme” hoarder house reportedly filled with dangerous chemicals and explosives.
Mayor Craig Greenberg declared a state of emergency last week after police halted their search of the “horror house” on Applegate Lane and set up a secure perimeter.
The resident, Marc Troy Hibel, 53, was arrested and charged with willful endangerment after police said a search warrant uncovered explosives, industrial chemicals and “laboratory equipment” in the filthy home.
“I’ve looked at pictures of the inside and it’s extremely messy, with rubbish and other stuff everywhere. It appears to be the home of an extreme hoarder,” Greenberg told reporters at a briefing.
At a community meeting Monday, Greenberg and his hoarder task force faced tough questions from residents who fear a demolition fire could release hazardous fumes, but the mayor vowed that safety would remain the top priority.
The mayor of Louisville, Kentucky has proposed using a controlled burn to destroy an ‘extreme’ hoarder house (seen above) allegedly filled with dangerous chemicals and explosives
Marc Troy Hibel, 53, was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment after police say a search warrant revealed explosives and industrial chemicals in his filthy home
“If this is the path we’re going down, we want this house and everything in it burned,” said Greenberg, noting that the city is still considering all options to safely evacuate the house.
The hoarder’s home first came to the attention of authorities after several members of the community tipped off police, Louisville Police Department Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said at a briefing last week.
Undercover LMPD detectives visited the home and Hibel invited them in and showed them his picric acid, a powerful explosive, the police chief said.
Police then obtained a search warrant and returned, detaining Hibel while they searched the house.
But the search was hastily called off after police discovered large amounts of picric acid, also known as TNP, as well as TNT and other unknown chemicals in the messy house.
Gwinn-Villaroel said Hibel seemed to occupy two adjacent houses: 6211 Applegate, which he doesn’t own but which seemed to live as a squatter, and 6213 Applegate, which Hibel owns and was filled with his bizarre experiments.
“Let me be clear, 6213 Applegate is an absolute house of horror, and due to the high volume of explosive materials and industrial chemicals in a hoarding environment, it is extremely difficult to safely evacuate the area,” the chief said.
The hoarder house (above) first came to the attention of authorities after several members of the community tipped off the police, who made an undercover visit to investigate
“It appears to be the home of an extreme hoarder,” Greenberg told reporters at a briefing
Photos show the interior of 6213 Applegate Lane, where authorities say Hibel conducted dangerous chemical experiments in “extreme hoarder” conditions
Police discovered large amounts of picric acid, also known as TNP, as well as TNT and other chemicals and lab equipment in the messy house
Mayor Craig Greenberg declared a state of emergency last week after police halted their search of the ‘horror house’ on Applegate Lane and set up a secure perimeter
“Hibel’s chemical experiments were reckless and extremely dangerous. Those experiments are over and as a result the area is now safer than it has been in years,” she added.
Hibel was arrested on June 27 and is currently being held by Louisville Metro Corrections. Officials say he could face additional charges. It was unclear if he had a lawyer to speak on his behalf.
Mayor Greenberg said that even if Hibel is released on bail, a court order will prevent him from returning to the house and continuing his experiments.
“If he got anywhere near that house, the police would be waiting for him there. The house is under 24/7 surveillance by LMPD,” the mayor said. “No matter what happens, he won’t go near that house.”
Now officials face tough decisions about how to deal with the explosives-filled hoarder house.
At a Monday night community meeting at Highview Baptist Church, hundreds of residents attended to share their concerns and hear from officials, WAVE TV reported.
In questions to officials, residents expressed fears about the safety of a controlled burn and whether there could be any long-term health effects or damage to the area’s values.
At a community meeting Monday, Greenberg and his hoarder task force faced tough questions from residents who fear a demolition wound could release dangerous fumes
The hoarder’s house is seen from the street. In questions to officials, residents expressed fears about the safety of a controlled burn and whether there might be any long-term health effects
Mayor Greenberg and his task force said all options are on the table, but that in the event of a controlled burn, neighbors would be evacuated and air quality monitors would be used to ensure safety before returning.
If an evacuation is necessary, residents will be given 48-hour notice and emergency management will drive through the area with loudspeaker warnings.
All evacuated residents would be provided with food, as well as shelter in case the evacuation lasted overnight.
“Our hope is that this is as short as possible,” Greenberg said. “This will be done during the day, and our hope and all we’re planning right now and based on all the information we have is that this will be a very short time.”
Greenberg said the federal Environmental Protection Agency is being called in to advise on alternatives before the burn continues.
Fern Creek Fire Chief Nathan Mulvey told residents what to expect in the event of a controlled burn, saying cracking, popping and whistling sounds are to be expected from a structure fire.
“There is clearly smoke. Smoke is the process of burning off the materials in the house,” he warned.
“In a hoarding state, the unfortunate thing is that there are many circumstances where you don’t know what you don’t know,” the fire chief added. “We usually go in to put out a fire, we’re not used to starting a fire.”