Experts: Appliance could have caused Indiana blast

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A deadly Indianapolis explosion that decimated a neighborhood shows signs that aren’t characteristic of natural gas explosions caused by appliances. But experts say they can’t rule out a faulty furnace if conditions were right.

Investigators have looked at natural gas as a possible cause of the weekend blast that killed two people and left dozens of homes uninhabitable. The owner of the house believed to be at the center of the explosion has said the furnace had been having problems.

John Erickson of the American Public Gas Association says a faulty furnace could cause the level of damage seen. But that would involve a more serious malfunction than just a furnace pilot light going out.

He says it’s unusual for two homes to be flattened in a natural gas explosion.