(Summit County) - Natural gas is suspected as a cause of a house explosion in Akron. Firefighters were called last night to the corner of Courtland Avenue and South Hawkins to find the house leveled and burning.
People living as far as three miles away felt and heard the blast. A man living in the home was hospitalized in serious condition with cuts and burns, he was able to make to the front lawn as first responders were arriving.
Today, people are still visiting the scene in disbelief. Including William Valentine who lives down the street, and told Newsradio WTAM 1100 that his whole house shook when the blast occurred.
Arnie Goodman drove from Cleveland see the debris. Goodman said the TV coverage he saw of the blast did not do it justice, and he had to see it for himself.
Goodman was amazed that the man living in the house survived, and that adjacent homes had little if any visible damage.
Michael Dobbertin of the Akron Housing Board of Appeals said gas probably built up in the house, filling the basement before being ignited by a pilot light, electrical device or spark.
Dobbertin believes city leaders will move quickly to remove the debris and clean up the site if the homeowner hasn't made arraignments with their insurance company.
(Photos by Ken Robinson/WTAM)
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