LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Preparations are being made for demolition of the Highview home with explosives and dangerous chemicals inside.

Crews on Monday were clearing items from the home on Applegate Lane.

The city originally planned to burn down, but the Environmental Protection Agency scratched that plan and opted to tear it down with an excavator instead.

Prep work started over the weekend, and the demolition is scheduled to begin Monday, Oct. 16. The home should be leveled by the end of the month. 

In July, police said they found a hoarded supply of hazardous material in the Highview home of 53-year-old Marc Hibel, a former chemist. Hibel is charged with burglary and wanton endangerment for the explosives in his house and squatting in the home next door.

His attorney continues to try to block the destruction of the home in court. He maintains that knocking down the house will destroy materials that may be used in Hibel's defense.

The EPA hopes to be finished by Oct. 27. 

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