City of Oconomowoc  -- Invesitgations by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco and Explosives, along with the Department of Criminal Invesitgation have been completed into the gas leak and explosion that destroyed First Baptist Church and will be forwarded to the City's police department, which will then take the lead on the case.

The City of Oconomowoc Police Department will interview all the parties involved, including the Department of Transportation, Dorner, Inc., and We Energies.

 The Chief said they will review the reports from DCI and ATF.

"Any lay person knows there was some type of gas leak and that gas entered the church," Beguhn said. "We'll have to draw a conclusion and send it to the District Attorney for review," he explained."It's too early to draw a conclusion of cirminal negligence," Beguhn added.

The Oconomowoc Community Center, located across thre street from the site of the church explosion that took place April 2,  will reopen tomorrow for its regular activities, according to City of Oconomowoc Police Chief Dave Beguhn.

Portions of Wisconsin Avenue will re-open tomorrow to allow people access to the center and to their residences, Beguhn noted.

Two church-owned residences were also impacted, one was destroyed and the other sustained significant damage. Preliminary reports place damage estimates at $1 million.

City of Oconomowoc- Preliminary damage estimates of approximately $1 million have been established in the explosion and fire that leveled a historic downtown Oconomowoc church and a house immediately to the south of it. A second residence located to west of the church was also significantly damaged.

The nearly 100-year-old First Baptist Church of Oconomowoc, 301 Wisconsin Ave., was enveloped in flames moments after an explosion was heard just before 1:30 p.m.ysterday at the intersection of Worthington Street and Wisconsin Avenue.

"The exact cause of the investigation is still under investiogation by a multi-jurisdictional task force who will continue to conduct interviews with all those involved," said Bob Duffy, who is acting as the Public Information Officer for the City of Oconomowoc.

Seven people were injured in the accident. Six were treated for minor injuries and released. One worker, who was transferred to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa by Flight for Life, is reported to be in satisfactory condition.

UPDATE: City of Oconomowoc- Members of the church board  at First Baptist Church in Oconomwooc will meet this afternoon to discuss next steps following the explosion that destroyed their church and two adjacent church-owned residences.

The blast occured just before 1:30 p.m.on Wednesday when it is believed a gas main was struck during the Wisconain Avenue road construciton project. The explosion was followed by a fire that engulfed the nealy 100-year-old landmark church and the properties located to the south and west of the church. Seven people were reported injured as a result of the accident which is currently under investigation

 Presently, the 35-member congregation is planning on holding services in a parishioner's home this week.

"The churches of Oconomowoc have been more than generous in offering support and places to worship, but we haven't had a chance to meet yet," said church board memebr Carroll Radke. 

City of Oconomowoc - City officials confirmed that seven people were injured today when a worker on the Wisconsin Avenue road construction project struck a natural gas line causing an explosion and fire that destroyed a church and a house and caused significant damage to another residence.

First Baptist Church, at 301 W. Wisconsin Avernue was fully engulfed in flames that errupted after the explosion today at 1:26 p.m., that spread to houses located to the south and west. The home at 20 S. Worthington Street is a total loss, city officials said, and the house immeditaely west of the church is heavily damaged. No estimates are available at this time. 

Four people were transported to Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries and a fifth person was transferred to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa by Flight for Life. Two firefighters also received minor injuries during the initial firefighting effort.

Representatives of WE Energies and the Oconomowoc Fire Dept. were on the scene prior to the explosion after being notified that the gas line had been struck. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.

Approximately 180 customers in the vicinity of the accident had their gas service turned off while emergency repair work was conducted.

Oconomowoc residents displaced by the explosion and fire have been directed to Park Lawn School where the American Red Cross Disaster Service Team was available to provide assistance.