The father of Caleb Farley, a cornerback for the Tennessee Titans, tragically lost his life in a devastating explosion and subsequent collapse of a home in North Carolina. The incident, which also injured another individual, occurred in a residence owned by the NFL player, according to local authorities.
Robert Farley, 61, was discovered in a rear bedroom of the property, as reported by Kent Greene, spokesperson for the Iredell County Fire Marshal’s Office and Emergency Management. Christian Rogers, a 25-year-old family friend, was also injured in the incident, according to Greene.
Emergency services arrived at the Mooresville property early Tuesday morning, where they found Rogers exiting the damaged house. He was promptly transported to Atrium Main in Charlotte, suffering from injuries that were not life-threatening.
Pete Schuerger, a local resident, described the scene to a CNN affiliate, WBTV, as resembling “Armageddon,” with insulation raining down like snow, bricks scattered hundreds of feet away, and pieces of wood strewn about.
The explosion, which occurred around midnight, resulted in the total loss of the 6,391-square foot home, located approximately 30 miles north of Charlotte, and several vehicles. The cause and origin of the explosion are currently under investigation.
Caleb Farley expressed his gratitude for the community’s support during this difficult time. He told WBTV, “I’ve always known my father was loved in this community. Growing up as a little boy, I always knew my father was well respected in this community. I appreciate the support. Everybody coming out to just check on my family.”
Mike Vrabel, the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, emphasized the importance of providing emotional support to Farley during this time. He expressed his shock at the incident and reiterated the team’s commitment to supporting Farley and his family.
The explosion is being investigated as a potential gas leak. Greene noted that given the size of the house, the gas could have been present for a while before finding an ignition source and causing the explosion. The investigation into the exact cause of the explosion is ongoing.