“There is no viable method to render the property safe,” Gore said. “It is also not habitable. The most effective way is to destroy the residence by fire.”
Officials said the house is so cluttered and so filled with dangerous materials that there is no way to safely remove everything. Photographs of explosive powder sitting in clumps on the floor were shown during the meeting, which lasted about 90 minutes.
Gore said weather permitting, the operation would tentatively take place between Dec. 8 and 10, weather permitting. Precautionary measures need to be taken first, including building protective barriers around the site.
Dozens of homes in the neighborhood will be evacuated during the fire and dozens of other residents will be asked to “shelter in place,” hopefully for just a few hours, San Marcos Fire Chief Todd Newman said at the meeting.
The house is west of Interstate 15, and the freeway will be shut down for several hours during the operation.
