LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Last summer, a quiet neighborhood in Highview became a busy hub of emergency vehicles after officials said dangerous chemicals were found inside a home on Applegate Lane. 

Marc Hibel

Marc Hibel (WDRB file image)

Police arrested Marc Hibel, the homeowner at 6213 Applegate Lane, in connection to the investigation. He's currently facing charges of burglary and wanton endangerment.

LMPD responded to the home in late July 2023 after police received information that Hibel "may be in possession of homemade explosives."

According to documentation, there were explosives and "massive amounts" of chemicals located. Officials said there were more than 20 different chemicals identified. 

Police said Hibel is a chemist by trade. A citation said Hibel stated that he had previously made homemade explosives and homemade blasting caps that he detonated in his backyard. 

Soon after the chemicals were discovered, LMPD said "experiments conducted by Hibel were reckless and highly dangerous."

Hibel's home was the one at 6213 Applegate, but officials said he had also been squatting in the neighboring home at 6211 Applegate. Louisville Metro Emergency Services said testing by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified mercury outside and inside the home at 6211 Applegate Lane.

The EPA confirms it finished its work at the home at 6211 Applegate Lane last November. EPA records show it is a SuperFund site, which allows the EPA to clean up contaminated locations.

The agency said on Monday that the total cleanup cost was $1.8 million. Property records show it's now owned by Americus Properties with a value of more than $180,000. Hibel's property next door is now a vacant lot assessed at around $35,000, according to property records.

"I knew (Hibel), not real good but I knew him pretty well. Used to cut through here and talk and all that stuff," said Charles Sondergeld, who lives near Applegate Lane. 

He said he attended the meetings held last year about how officials planned clean-up Hibel's home, which included an idea for a controlled burn. 

"Smoke goes up and it also drops down. I didn't like the idea at all. I argued with them at the meeting on that, or at least brought it up," said Sondergeld. 

In the end, the house was demolished. It's now an empty plot of land with only the driveway remaining. 

The home that once sat at 6213 Applegate Lane is demolished

The home that once sat at 6213 Applegate Lane is demolished (WDRB image from July 15, 2024). 

"It was best, what they did. And the people that took it down and (all) that were super nice. They were from out of town. And they talked to me," said Sondergeld. 

Other neighbors said their biggest concern was the potential for evacuations, and they were thankful that ended up not being necessary. 

"I feel more comfortable about the whole situation and just hope nothing like that happens like that again," said Sondergeld. "But unfortunately it does and it's usually in an area where you least expect it."

Hibel is expected to be back in court on Aug. 19.

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