Thieves Cause Explosion

Thieves may be to blame for the house explosion in Flordell Hills last Friday. The city says someone trying to steal copper wiring cut through the gas line and 27 families are still homeless because of the explosion.

By Theresa Petry,

May 8, 2008, 7:56 PM CDT

Thieves may be to blame for the house explosion in Flordell Hills last Friday. The city says someone trying to steal copper wiring cut through the gas line and 27 families are still homeless because of the explosion.

Watch

Jennings police are patrolling the vacated area but some are less than thrilled by their security. One resident filed a complaint against officers Thursday.

Jennings police shot and killed her dog Wednesday night and there was more copper stolen from yet another home.

No residents have been allowed to move back in yet and with the area looking like a ghost town the city stepped up security. "We don't want to have to worry about someone going in and going through people's property," said Flordell Hills Finance Officer, Carol Wallace.

A Flordell Hills employee stands guard during the day. We're told Jennings police patrol at night, even doing foot patrols.

It was Wednesday night when officers shot and killed Birdia McClinton's dog. "He was brought there to help protect me when I be there by myself because I'm handicap," explained McClinton.

Her home damaged she was forced to stay at a hotel and leave her dog Buck behind. She says he was chained up and in his dog house. Someone fed him daily.

Her neighbor heard Buck barking Wednesday night and checked to see why. "She looked out the window and when she looked out the window you know I have a motion light and it lit up and she saw these two police officers. He just point blank took his gun out and shot our dog," exclaimed Birdia.

Jennings police refused to go on camera but tell us a burglar alarm sounded at Birdia's home. Officers responded and found the dog on the loose coming at them. They tried macing it, then shot and killed the dog.

Birdia's alarm company has no record of the alarm sounding. The dog was discovered dead Thursday morning, tied up. "I just walked down there and the dog was still tied up to the tree," stated Eric Cobb.

The watch commander says someone must have tied him up later.

Meanwhile, thieves were stealing from a home around the corner.

"I believe it was last night with all this that they're saying all this police protection that the police are giving that my copper was stolen," said homeowner Andrew Frager.

He says Thursday morning he found his door kicked down and water everywhere. "There was water shooting everywhere and so I'm just concerned about people coming back tonight for the second round for the furnace or something. So we're getting that boarded up tonight," Frager stated.

Residents are a little uneasy and Birdia lonely without her four legged friend.

"He been there since he was a puppy and I love him so much, he was good," declared Birdia.

Eric Cobb was working on a house in the area and saw the dog. He told Birdia he would bury Buck at his place in the country.

She filed a complaint with the Humane Society.