They Don't Teach That At Ball State

It's become apparent to the Maven that Physics and Thermodynamics are not part of the Journalism curriculum at Ball State University. 

Why else would an otherwise intelligent WANE-15 reporter insist that the windows of a minivan, parked next to a burning home would have been "blown out" by an explosion which triggered a house fire without first blowing down the walls of the house?

Look closely at the photo (provided by a viewer) showing the home engulfed in a raging fire. Notice, also, that the minivan windows are intact. 

The second photo, taken after the fire was extinguished, and the fire scene secured, clearly show the windows in the minivan are broken, missing. 

The Maven asked a retired firefighter if he could provide an explanation. His response was that the minivan windows, more than likely, melted and cracked due to the prolonged heat of the fire. He also indicated that, while there may have been an explosion, if it were powerful enough to blow the windows out of a minivan, it would also have been powerful enough to splinter the wood-frame house into a billion toothpicks, as well. 

This is the second news story from the kids in the WANE-15 news room that has leaned toward conjecture and relied less on facts. 

While a news story my abhor a vacuum, it would be better for all if you don't have facts, then don't rely on your Ball State education to qualify you as an expert in Physics and Thermodynamics in order to advance a theory of what happened. 

Thanks to Maven reader "Dave", for the tip about this story.