Capital murder charge filed after Bruce home explodes

BRUCE (WCBI) – A Bruce man is facing a capital murder charge after a home explosion.
46 year-old Tony Thomas remains in jail tonight charged with being responsible for the blast.

THOMAS

Investigators say Johnny Baker died when the home went up in flames about 1:30 last Saturday morning on McAlpine Street.

Bruce Police Chief Tony Sockwell tells WCBI a gas stove was unhooked from the kitchen of the home and taken outside.

The stove was leaking and left a trail of gas.

Sockwell believes Thomas ignited that trail of gas.

Nearby residents confronted Thomas and he’s accused of stabbing one of those potential witnesses.

Thomas is also charged with aggravated assault in that specific incident.

Baker died at a Memphis hospital.