Learning from Wilson home explosion

WILSON, N.Y. (WIVB) - Niagara County Investigators have closed the case, finding no criminal wrongdoing in the fatal explosion of the Johnson family home last July on Chestnut Road in the Town of Wilson.

RELATED | See our previous special report here, and listen as Jody and Judy Johnson describe in their own words what the explosion was like

The evidence including the propane tanks have been sent to Forensic & Failure Analysis in Syracuse for further evaluation as the family sues NOCO claiming the company didn't treat the family's phone call seriously enough. NOCO is countersuing claiming it was Mr. Johnson who tampered with the connections.

PHOTOS | Look back at what little was left of the home and the vigils held for the Johnson family immediately following the explosion in our gallery

Investigators may never know exactly what caused propane to leak into the house, but if you smell gas in your home, this is what the experts suggest.

Dep. Fire Coordinator for Erie County Emergency Services Tiger Schmittendorf said, "Get out and stay out. That's what we want them to do, get out of the house, stay out, call 911 and the fire department will respond."

Michael Meath of the New York Propane Gas Association added, "Get out of the house and take your cell phone with you. Don't turn anything on or off as you walk out of the house."

MORE | Find more tips on what to do if you smell gas here

"Get the responders there. They'll bring detection equipment that will determine the presence of any danger like that," Schmittendorf continued.

As for the theory that a large propane tank might give off more of a smell when the tank is low, that is not true, according to fire officials.

"Speaking specifically about propane, they're designed to be a closed system so at no time should you be smelling gas," Schmittendorf explained.

In the extensive interviews with police, Jody Johnson, the father who lost his daughter Sarah and almost everything the family owned, wishes he had treated the emergency differently.

RELATED | Look at our complete coverage section to recall the immense outpouring of support the Johnsons received from every corner of western New York

"Yeah, I mean, I've been sitting here thinking about it for the last couple days," Jody stated. "I mean, in hindsight I would have taken them to a hotel, you know? I didn't think it was that strong, and I'm thinking it got worse over the night."