LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) --Â After months of planning, crews have started dismantling a home in Louisville's Highview neighborhood where dangerous chemicals and explosives were found in July.
Images released by the city of Louisville on Thursday show that process is well underway. Walls are down, and the images from above show some of the contents inside the home as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tears the house apart.
After detonating explosives on-site back in July, the city originally planned to burn down the house. But the EPA scratched that plan, instead opting to tear it down with an excavator, which it said is the safer option.
The home belongs to Marc Hibel, 53, a former chemist.
IMAGES | Inside the Highview home where explosives and chemicals were found
Louisville officials are trying to determine the best way to remove hazardous materials from the home on Applegate Lane.Â
Louisville Metro Emergency Services released more images from inside the home on Applegate Lane where officials say chemicals were found. (Image from Metro Emergency Services)
Louisville Metro Emergency Services released more images from inside the home on Applegate Lane where officials say chemicals were found. (Image from Metro Emergency Services)
Louisville Metro Emergency Services released more images from inside the home on Applegate Lane where officials say chemicals were found. (Image from Metro Emergency Services)
Louisville Metro Emergency Services released more images from inside the home on Applegate Lane where officials say chemicals were found. (Image from Metro Emergency Services)
Louisville Metro Emergency Services released more images from inside the home on Applegate Lane where officials say chemicals were found. (Image from Metro Emergency Services)
Louisville Metro Emergency Services released more images from inside the home on Applegate Lane where officials say chemicals were found. (Image from Metro Emergency Services)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of the city of Louisville)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of the city of Louisville)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of the city of Louisville)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of the city of Louisville)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of the city of Louisville)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Marc Hibel received fines from Metro inspectors 21 times in the last three years for property maintenance violations such as junk on site, tall grass and exposed wiring. (Photo courtesy of Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations)
Acting on tips from the public that Hibel "may be in possession of homemade explosives," two properties in the 6200 block of Applegate Lane were searched by Louisville Metro Police officers and other law enforcement officials, who found multiple explosives and "massive amounts" of dangerous chemicals. Officials said there were more than 20 different chemicals identified.Â
Police said Hibel owns one of the homes and had been squatting in the other house on the corner.
According to court documents, Hibel invited authorities in and showed them what he called homemade explosives using TNT. An arrest citation for Hibel said he "admitted to possessing laboratory-grade equipment and chemicals."
Hibel was arrested and charged with burglary and wanton endangerment. His attorney filed a motion to block the destruction of the home, arguing it will destroy materials that may be used in Hibel's defense, but a judge hasn't ruled on that motion yet.
The demolition is expected to take less than two weeks to complete.
The EPA has also put what officials call an air monitoring network in yards across the neighborhood. The locked boxes make sure the air is safe for neighbors, even those outside of the blocked off area of Applegate Lane.
For more information or updates, click here.Â
Related Stories:
- EPA begins demolition of Highview home where explosives, dangerous chemicals were found
- Judge lowers bond for man accused of hoarding hazardous materials in Highview home
- EPA completes mercury cleanup at Applegate Lane home in Louisville's Highview neighborhood
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