Family mourns South Omaha community members killed in house explosion.
Written by: Adam Ortega
First responders were called to a house fire last week after an explosion in South Omaha.
Image Credit: Omaha Public Radio
Theresa Toledo, 73, and her 45-year-old daughter, Angela Toledo Miller, died last Tuesday (December 8th) morning when Theresa’s home exploded. According to the Omaha Police Department, Alexander Toledo, 28, died on Wednesday, December 9th in a burn unit in Kansas City, Missouri. The initial blast and fire leveled Theresa Toledo’s home at 4810 S. 51st St. and badly damaged neighbors’ houses.
Theresa’s spouse, 72-year-old Larry Rodriguez, and her 28-year-old grandson, Alex Toledo, were transported to Nebraska Medical Center in critical condition according to the Omaha Police Department. Alex was transported to a specialty burn unit in Kansas City, Missouri where he later died. The Omaha Fire Department said it could take days to determine the cause of the tragic explosion, which was felt around the neighborhood.
Theresa’s ex-husband, Vincent Toledo, and his current wife, Judy Devault Toledo, said in an interview with The Omaha World Herald that although there was a divorce between Theresa and Vince, the family stayed in touch. Judy said Theresa “was a friend to everyone.” Theresa was known for her cooking and tasty Mexican food, and was preparing to deliver tamales to distant family members.
According to the Associated Press, court records showed Theresa had filed a protection order against her grandson a day before the tragic event. Alexander lived in the basement of Theresa’s house in South Omaha. She said she feared for her grandson’s life and that he would “start my house on fire.”
A GoFundMe has been started for the children who lost their loved mother, grandmother and eldest brother. Felix Miller, organizer of the GoFundMe page wrote, “The home and entire contents were a total loss due to a horrific house explosion. We miss them dearly, we will honor and cherish them forever.” To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.
NOISE acknowledged Alexander Toledo’s troubled past and criminal offenses. To limit the spread of disinformation and speculation on what caused the tragic explosion, we have chosen to limit the amount of crime reporting published to our audience. Again, officials have not said what caused the blast. Now is the time to mourn and remember the son, mother and grandmother who lost their lives.
*In keeping with the core principles of NOISE, as we provide updates on this story, it is of utmost importance to acknowledge these community members as living human beings who lost their lives in a traumatic event.