According to a report from WCPO, one man is hospitalized in serious condition after an explosion in a Madeira, Ohio, home that is now being called “possibly intentional” Wednesday morning.
Madeira and Indian Hill Police Chief Stephen C. Oughterson said that firefighters responded to 6584 Apache Circle for the report of an odor of natural gas at around 1:10 a.m. Law enforcement was also dispatched to the home for a domestic dispute.
While crews were en route, the call was upgraded to a structure fire after an explosion occurred within the residence, Oughterson said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, Oughterson said initial findings indicate a possible intentional gas leak and ignition.
On arrival, multiple fire departments found the home barely standing from the explosion, with a man trapped under debris. Firefighters and paramedics were able to make verbal contact with the victim, who was in the basement.
Firefighters as well as an urban search and rescue team were able to rescue and package the victim after they removed debris, tunneled into the basement, and extinguished the fire.
Oughterson said the rear of the home was completely blown out.
The victim was transported to University Hospital with burns and scrapes. There were no other victims from incident.
The Hamilton County Fire Investigation Unit, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, and Madeira police are now partnering with Duke Energy in the investigation.
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