A man accused of tampering with gas pipes prior to a house explosion that left two people critically injured appeared his arraignment in Franklin County Municipal Court Saturday morning.
Marcus Lorenzo Taylor, 34, is charged with aggravated arson – harm occupied structure, a second-degree felony. According to the Columbus Division of Fire, Taylor admitted to tampering with gas pipes inside a vacant home at 464 N. 20th St. He was attempting to remove the pipes so he could sell them for scrap money.
The house exploded around 8:15am on Friday, June 22, leaving Vernice Hill, 36, and Dontaye Conner, 36, with severe injuries.
Fire investigators say the cause of the explosion is still unknown at this time.
A judge set Taylor’s bond at $350,085. His next court date is scheduled for July 9.