Regulators: Ice triggered gas fires in Ohio town

FAIRPORT HARBOR, Ohio (AP) — Ohio regulators say ice caused the buildup in natural gas pressure that triggered a house explosion, fires and an evacuation in one village.

Spokesman Matt Butler with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio tells The News-Herald of Willoughby that ice formed in a sensor line, causing a gas pressure regulator to fail Monday in Fairport Harbor amid freezing temperatures.

Dominion East Ohio tells The Associated Press the gas company found fluids and debris in a regulator and is investigating.

Mayor Frank Sarosy tells the AP seven houses were destroyed and about 23 more were damaged. No injuries were reported in the community about 30 miles northeast of Cleveland.

The mayor estimates 20 percent of 3,000 residents evacuated before the evacuation order was rescinded.