A major house explosion and fire in Bethel, Ohio, left two people dead and one person hospitalized on Tuesday.
According to WLWT, Bethel-Tate Fire Chief Christopher Cooper said that fire crews were dispatched at roughly 8:44 a.m. on Tuesday. Cooper confirmed that the fire crews were notified of an explosion in the area and that when firefighters arrived at the scene, they discovered a large fire and significant debris.
NBC News reported that Cooper described the scene of the explosion as chaotic, telling reporters, “It was a large explosion that had sent debris across the neighborhood.” NBC News also reported that the fire chief said the home that exploded was a one-story ranch house that used propane.
A video captured by a nearby Blink doorbell camera shows Tuesday’s house explosion and the debris shooting into the air.
According to WLWT, firefighters managed to have the house fire under control in roughly 45 minutes as four mutual aid departments responded to the fire.
Bethel-Tate Fire Department officials confirmed that two individuals were killed in Tuesday’s house explosion and fire. While the age and relationship of the victims have not yet been disclosed, fire officials confirmed that both a male and a female victim were killed in the fire.
Meanwhile, fire officials also confirmed that a third individual was transported to UC Medical Center and received treatment for burn injuries. Fire officials have not yet provided an update regarding the injured man’s current condition.
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According to WLWT, the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating the cause of Tuesday’s house fire and explosion. The outlet noted that fire investigators were at the scene throughout the day on Tuesday and returned to the scene early Wednesday morning after the fire was rekindled underneath the remains of the home.
Cooper told reporters that other homes in the neighborhood suffered minor damage due to Tuesday’s explosion in Bethel.
Journalist Karin Johnson shared pictures of the house fire and the debris from Tuesday’s explosion on X, formerly Twitter. The pictures highlight the extent of the damage caused by the explosion.
