Indianapolis explosion killed Jennifer Longworth, teacher, and her husband, investigation continues

As the investigation into the deadly explosion on the south side of Indianapolis on Saturday night continues, the city is hoping to answer questions for the nearly three dozen families who still haven’t been allowed to return to their homes.

Jennifer Longworth

The Department of Code Enforcement is planning two meetings Monday for victims.

The exact cause of the explosion has yet to be discovered, though Rep. Andre Carson said Homeland Security investigators’ preliminary findings indicate it was not a bomb or a meth lab. Citizens Energy has said thus far they have found no indication of a gas leak prior to the explosion.

The city said 80 homes were damaged in the blast that killed a Greenwood teacher and her husband and destroyed two homes. More than 30 homes may be so damaged that they’ll have to be torn down.

The impact sent seven people to the hospital. Close to 70 firefighters responded, some within minutes of the explosion. A fire station is just a few blocks away.

Emergency crews formed search teams to locate every resident and get medical attention to the injured.

Jennifer Longworth was a second grade teacher at Southwest Elementary School in Greenwood for 12 years. Classes will be delayed by two hours Monday morning at all Greenwood schools, and a candlelight vigil was held at Southwest Elementary Sunday night.

Her husband, John D. Longworth, Dion, also died in the explosion.

“I feel like I lost a brother. The world lost a man who was the rare genuine, kind-hearted person who didn’t even know hate or selfishness. He really did care about everyone around him and we could always count on him to be there. The world is full of things we can’t understand and this makes no sense. We all will always love dion and I pray for his family.” – posted by Chris Michaels on Facebook beneath the photo of Dion.

Dion Longworth

Jennifer Longworth’s father, Donald E. Buxton, declined an interview Sunday.

Glenn and Gloria Olvey survived but were “battered, bruised and sore,” David Frazier said. Frazier is a co-worker of Gloria Olvey at a nearby realtor in Greenwood.

“They were both trapped in the house and had to be evacuated by emergency folks,” Frazier said.

Monserrate R. Shirley lives at another destroyed home at 8349 Fieldfare Way, according to records. She also declined an interview.

Jennifer and Dion Longworth photo Facebook