Copper-pipe theft preceded West Side blast, police believe

YOUNGSTOWN — Police believe someone may have stolen copper pipes out of a Hazelwood Avenue home shortly before the house exploded, and they are looking to speak with a suspect.

It was just after 3 p.m. Wednesday when the area around Hazelwood and Connecticut avenues was rocked by the explosion of a small house that sits at that corner.

The house was for sale and had been vacant for several years.

A witness told police officers responding to the scene that a West Side man had inquired as to whether there was any copper piping left in the vacant corner house. This person told officers he believed the man may have been in the house at the time of or shortly before the explosion.

Officers determined the man was not in the house at the time of the explosion, but reports say police believe he was in the house before the explosion attempting to remove copper piping.

When contacted by The Vindicator on today, the man in question said no police officers have spoken with him about the incident, but he emphatically denies ever being in the home.

For the complete story, read Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com