New Hampshire House Explosion May Not Have Been An Accident, Police Say
A New Hampshire house explosion has left two dead, and police believe that the blaze and resulting explosion were no accident. As reported earlier by The Inquisitr, a home in Brentwood, New Hampshire, exploded on live television Monday at the scene of an officer involved shooting earlier in the day.
According to ABC News, the fiery explosion occurred Monday after Officer Steve Arkell was called to the home of Michael Nolan and his father Walter Nolan regarding a domestic dispute. The Inquisitr’s original report stated that Officer Arkell was in serious condition following the shooting, though more recent reports are now saying that Officer Arkell has died as a result of his injury.
According to the Chicago Tribune, New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan paid tribute to Arkell in the following statement:
“Officer Arkell bravely answered the call of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice, a heroic demonstration of his commitment to the safety of his fellow citizens,” said Hassan, according to WMUR-TV. “Like so many of our first responders do on a daily basis, Officer Arkell courageously put his life on the line to protect others, and in doing so, was tragically taken far too soon.”
New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph Foster spoke at a news conference and identified the alleged shooter as 47-year-old Michael Nolan, who is believed to have died during the home explosion. Walter Nolan, 86, was taken from the scene of the shooting and home explosion by ambulance according to Fox News.
When police and Assistant Attorney General Jan Young were asked about the cause of the explosion, Young stated that the cause is still not clear. According to ABC News, Young added that the cause being “accidental is probably not likely.”
The bulk of the investigation today is reportedly going to be aimed towards finding how and what caused the New Hampshire home explosion. In the meantime, the community is mourning the lose of Steve Arkell, a 15 year veteran of the Brentwood Police Department.
RIP Officer Steve Arkell. @WMUR9 pic.twitter.com/zMvoH6rm2W
— Trent Spiner (@TrentWMUR) May 13, 2014
@BrentwoodPD Deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Steve Arkell from @RIStatePolice. #officerdown
— RI State Police (@RIStatePolice) May 13, 2014
Candlelight vigil tonight at 7PM for Brentwood police Officer Steve Arkell.
— Lana Jones (@Lanawbz) May 13, 2014
Prayers are with family, friends & colleagues of Officer Steve Arkell. Coach, police officer, father of 2. RIP. http://t.co/qeqeAohTIr #NH
— David Salzman (@Espresso_Dave) May 13, 2014
Stay with The Inquisitr as more information becomes available in the case of the New Hampshire house explosion.
[Image via WCVB]
