WILSON, NY - There's some new insight into the investigation of what caused a home to explode in the Town of Wilson last week.
2 On Your Side has obtained an internal memo sent to all NOCO employees on Monday.
The memo says there were two propane tanks on the Johnson family's property on Chestnut Road in Wilson. It also says investigators are looking at both tanks in connection with the explosion that leveled the home and killed 14-year-old Sarah Johnson.
NOCO President James D. Newman writes that the propane tank installed at the Johnson home by NOCO was not connected to the house at the time of the explosion. The propane tank installed by NOCO was disconnected sometime prior to the explosion. At the time of the explosion, there was another propane tank connected to the house. The tank connected to the house at the time of the explosion was not installed by NOCO.
We spoke by phone with NOCO President James Newman. He said his company is continuing to cooperate with investigators, and that his family's thoughts and prayers are with the Johnsons.
We also spoke with Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour who told us the investigation into last week's explosion is continuing, and that there were indeed two tanks on the property. Voutour says his investigators are looking at both, but didn't yet have information on who the other tank was maintained or controlled by.
Here is NOCO President James D. Newman full statement:
"On behalf of NOCO Energy Corp., I want to convey our deepest sympathies to the Johnson family. I am personally heartbroken over the news of the house explosion in Wilson and our thoughts and prayers are with them.
Their loss is immeasurable and as a father, I cannot imagine the enormity of their grief.
"I also want to take the opportunity to share what I have learned to date to let you know what we know. First, NOCO has and will continue to cooperate with the authorities as the investigation moves forward.
"The propane tank installed at the Johnson home by NOCO was not
connected to the house at the time of the explosion; the propane tank installed by NOCO was disconnected sometime prior to the explosion. At the time of the explosion there was another propane tank connected to the house. This second propane tank was not a NOCO tank, nor was it installed by NOCO."
"Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Johnson family."