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60 gas leaks found after deadly explosion at Medina apartment complex

Posted at 5:03 PM, Feb 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-02-20 21:02:12-05

A week and a half after a deadly explosion demolished several apartments and heavily damaged eight units at the Medina Village Apartments, more than 20 contractors are replacing natural gas lines.

After the explosion, gas company inspectors found 63 units throughout the complex had small gas leaks.

The exact cause of the explosion is still being investigated.

Crews were at the scene Monday replacing old gas lines throughout the sprawling apartment complex.

"Going pretty well, we have been out here a few days now, we are almost finished we just have this last apartment to tighten up, and we will be all set, the gas will be back on today,” said Ryan Popka from Calypso Plumbing.

People were able to return to their apartments once Columbia Gas inspected the repairs.

Most everyone is already back, except for those who were displaced by the explosion.

The apartment manager said clothing donations are pouring in for people who lost all of their belongings in the explosion.

Jacob Harley Drake, 18, died in the explosion. Authorities said he had special needs and was confined to a wheelchair. His parents were badly burned.