3 firefighters, homeowner injured after house explodes

RICHLAND COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - Three firefighters and a homeowner were injured in a home explosion on Wednesday morning in Ohio.

Madison Township Fire Chief Kenneth Justus said crews responded to the home on Becky Drive at 6:48 a.m.

When they arrived, Justus said the homeowner was outside with severe burns, and there was heavy fire in the house and garage.

While crews were battling the fire, a second explosion happened and shrapnel injured three firefighters.

Justus said one of the firefighters suffered a traumatic hand injury.

The shrapnel also went into a neighboring home.

The 70-year-old homeowner told firefighters he was moving a leaking propane cylinder when it exploded.

He has burns from his waist up and was taken to a nearby hospital.

The cause of the secondary explosion is also believed to be propane cylinders, Justus said.

A woman who also lives at the home was not injured.

Justus said the home was so heavily damaged that a backhoe was brought to the scene to tear it down.