Calhoun explosion ruled arson

By Ty Tagami

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A natural gas explosion that damaged nearly 60 homes in Calhoun last April was the result of arson, authorities said Tuesday.

The April 15 explosion was centered in a three-story house in the 100 block of Saddle Mountain Drive in Calhoun, which is 65 miles north of downtown Atlanta. It destroyed 18 houses and blew out doors and windows in many more, and resulted in the evacuation of the entire neighborhood; yet no one was seriously injured.

Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John W. Oxendine initially said the explosion could have been caused by a gas leak. But on Tuesday he said it was an intentional act.

“Natural gas did cause the explosion, but this was an act of arson,” Oxendine said. “Evidence shows that someone went into the home and tampered with a gas line.”

Eight families in the Saddle Brook subdivision were left homeless. Insured losses were estimated to be more than $6 million, Oxendine said.

Oxendine is asking anyone with information about the incident to call his office's 24-hour hotline at 1-800-282-5804. Rewards of up to $10,000 are given for information leading to an arrest and conviction, and callers can choose to remain anonymous.