LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville’s mayor is sharing a “new strategy” for dealing with a home in Highview filled with hazardous chemicals and explosives. 

On Aug. 1, Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, announced an emergency demolition order for the home on Applegate Lane after learning of what was inside.

Marc Hibel, 53, was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment.

Originally, Louisville Metro planned a controlled burn to manage the home and its contents.

But after speaking with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) they suggest a “controlled mechanical demolition” on the property and the city is moving forward with that plan.

Mayor Greenberg explained the plan by saying it involves removing debris from the home in small scoops. He then explained the details of the excavation, saying, “To begin with, a 17-foot perimeter wall will be erected from shipping containers around the entire structures. The EPA plans to use an excavator to remove this debris in small scoops. They will mechanically remove the roof of the house, as well as walls, and scoop by scoop, small amounts of material will be removed from the home, placed into a large steel container, that is partially buried in the backyard of 6213 Applegate Lane and the contents will be disposed of.”

Greenberg added there would be water cannons, air monitors and cameras on site when the demolition happens.

The Fern Creek Fire Department is working on a fire suppression plan and emergency medical services (EMS) will be on hand.

An evacuation plan is being developed and will be implemented for neighbors in the area, but only in the event of an emergency.

Greenberg says he doesn’t expect the EPA to begin work on Applegate Lane before October adding it should take less than a month to complete.