Metro Digest

Blast being probed

POLAND — The cause of an explosion that leveled a Center Road home over the weekend remains under investigation.

Officials of Dominion East Ohio Gas said that the customer called on a report of low pressure at the home Wednesday.

Neil Durbin, a Dominion spokesman, said that a technician who checked on the complaint found ice in the regulator, which can affect the pressure.

The technician cleared the ice and checked inside the home, ensuring the situation was safe, Durbin said.

Five firefighters from the Western Reserve Joint Fire District suffered minor injuries early Saturday when the house at 2816 Center Road exploded.

The firefighters were responding to a report of a possible gas leak. The homeowner, Janice Brahler, and her daughter, Kayla, 17, escaped the home without injuries.

Chief David “Chip” Comstock Jr. of the fire district said firefighters were to continue with interviews today. Evidence collected will be sent for laboratory analysis, the chief said.

2 seek council seat

NILES — Two applicants have sent letters declaring their candidacy for the at-large council seat vacated last month by the resignation of Thomas Scarnecchia. The two are Frank Pezzano, 51, a recent General Motors retiree who served as health-and-safety representative for the United Auto Workers, and Reginald Giancola Jr., a former 3rd Ward and at-large councilman.

Precinct Committee Democrats will choose a successor Wednesday evening just before the next council meeting. Christ Michelakis, the Trumbull County Democratic Party chairman, said application letters are not mandatory and that committee members can nominate a candidate on their own. Scarnecchia resigned for health reasons.

MATHCOUNTS reset

YOUNGSTOWN — Inclement weather has resulted in a second cancellation of the MATHCOUNTS competition at Youngstown State University for middle and junior high school students.

The program initially was set for last Thursday, but a snowstorm forced a postponement until today.

Forecasts of another significant storm expected today resulted in the program’s being moved to Monday.

Grant for firefighters

DAMASCUS — The Damascus Volunteer Fire Department has received $50,236 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.

The AFG grants are used to help firefighters and other first responders obtain equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources needed to protect public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

AFG grants target fire departments and emergency medical-service organizations that are unaffiliated with hospitals. The funds can be used for operational- and safety- equipment updates. Since 2001, nearly $4 billion in grant money has been awarded to first- responder organizations.