COLUMBUS – Columbus fire investigators have determined that a man trying to remove copper plumbing and other recyclable metals set off an explosion that caused a fire in a South Side home last month, a Division of Fire spokesman said.
Lucas Talbot, of Columbus, was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday on felony charges of aggravated arson and breaking and entering, Battalion Chief Steve Martin said.
Talbot, 31, admitted to removing the material from the house at 870 Stockbridge Road, which had been purchased the week before but was unoccupied, on March 25, Martin said.
Martin says investigators believe that in the process, Talbot set off a natural gas leak in the basement and the gas came exploded when it contacted a source of ignition from the furnace.
The resulting explosion and fire destroyed the house, Martin said.
No injuries were reported, Martin said.
Martin says jail documents indicate Talbot was not in custody Friday morning.