Boardman house explosion shakes neighbors

Boardman house explosion shakes neighbors

BOARDMAN

A Tuesday afternoon explosion lifted a township home off its foundation, firefighters said.

Boardman Fire Capt. Brian Barber said a neighbor reported hearing an explosion at about 1 p.m. and when crews arrived at 1781 Lealand Ave., they found a fire contained in the basement.

“The gentleman who owns the house does his own loading of ammunition and makes his own bullets and had gun powder and ammo in the basement, and we don’t know if that’s what caused the fire,” Barber said. “Arson investigators and Dominion East Ohio are investigating.”

The house is valued at about $75,000 and damage estimates are still being compiled, the captain said.

Nobody was home at the time and the family’s pet dog was rescued from the house, Barber said. The family is unable to stay at the house and is getting assistance from other family members, he added.