House explosion in Poland Twp. injures five firefighters

By SEAN BARRON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

POLAND — The Ohio State fire marshal and Western Reserve Joint Fire District officials continue looking for the cause of a house explosion in the township.

Five fire district firefighters were slightly injured after they responded about 6:20 a.m. Saturday to a possible natural-gas leak at 2816 Center Road after the homeowner awoke to a hissing sound and the smell of gas, noted Chief David Comstock Jr.

Firefighters approached the front door with hand-held meters that indicated a dangerously high level of gas. As they tried to shut it off a short time later, the two-story home exploded, pinning one firefighter near the front porch, Comstock explained.

All five were treated for minor injuries at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Boardman and Youngstown and released.

The homeowner, Janice Brahler, called 911, Comstock said, adding that Brahler and her daughter, Kayla, 17, escaped without injury. No one else was thought to be in the residence, he noted. It was not known where Brahler and her daughter went after the explosion.

The American Red Cross Mahoning Chapter Disaster Action Team was called out and was able to assist Brahler and her daughter with funding to replace some of their clothing lost in the explosion and subsequent fire as well as assistance with food and groceries.

The explosion destroyed the home, the chief said, and caused minor damage to a next-door garage.

It took officials with Dominion East Ohio Gas Co. about three hours to get to the shut-off switch because a backhoe was needed to reach it several feet underground in the front yard, the chief pointed out.

The state fire marshal and the Western Reserve Joint Fire District are investigating, though the fire does not appear to be suspicious, Comstock noted.

The fire district consists of departments from Poland Village and the township.

Also assisting were the Springfield Township, New Middletown, Struthers and Lowellville fire departments as well as Poland Township and Poland Village police.