LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, announced Tuesday an emergency demolition order for a Highview home containing hazardous and explosive material. The mayor’s office said the move was to ensure the swiftest and safest course to eliminate the risks at the property while protecting public health.
Greenberg declared a state of emergency for the home Monday afternoon after an investigation revealed several explosive substances, along with other substances that could pose a potential risk.
“We are working to address this issue as safely and swiftly as possible and doing everything we can to make sure our community is not harmed,” said Greenberg. “Our law enforcement acted quickly to uncover this potentially unsafe situation, and we are working in tandem with all our partners, at multiple levels of government and through many different areas of expertise, to do the right thing and get it resolved.”
According to Greenberg, no one near the house is in immediate danger. “After careful consideration by explosives and hazardous chemicals experts, including the FBI and other agencies, it’s been determined that the safest approach to dispose of the hazardous materials is through a planned, monitored, and controlled burn of the property,” Greenberg explained.
Louisville Metro Police say they had “acquired information” Marc Hibel may be in possession of homemade explosives at 6211 Applegate Lane. Police say Hibel allowed them in and showed them what he claimed were homemade explosives that contained TNT. He was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment.
After the encounter, LMPD executed a search warrant at 6211 and 6213 Applegate Lane after determining hazardous materials, including potential explosives, may be present. Upon entering the home, members of the LMPD Bomb Squad, Hazardous Incident Response Team, Kentucky National Guard and Federal Bureau of Investigation Bomb Team found several explosive substances, along with other hazardous substances.
Officials reported finding both "primay and secondary" explosives, and over 20 different chemicals on the premises. A report of the search said there were "gallons and tens of gallons of these chemicals and other chemicals at the premises." Officials also said the owner had created a "hoarding situation" which added to the dangers of the situation.
The mayor said the city government would go door-to-door to keep neighbors informed about the situation and hold community meetings for the public.
“Your safety is paramount and we are here for you,” Greenberg said.
The city will provide updates on the situation through its website.
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