Explosion hurls debris half-mile from site

BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio (AP) — An explosion destroyed a vacant house recently used as a doctor’s office, hurling debris up to a half-mile away and damaging windows of nearby buildings and cars.

Investigators were looking into whether the Wednesday night blast was linked to a propane tank on the property, utility service to the structure or was an intentional act, state fire marshal’s office spokesman Shane Cartmill said Thursday.

The explosion knocked over a nearby van, damaged windows of a limousine and a nearby real estate business and forced the temporary closure of U.S. 68.

The single-family house was last used as an office by Dr. Matthew Hasford, a urologist. The office closed in February.

Bellefontaine is about 50 miles northwest of Columbus.