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Chief: Cause of house explosion unknown
BOARDMAN
The investigation into an explosion at a Lealand Avenue house is ongoing, and a cause has not yet been determined, says the township fire chief.
Investigators from Boardman Fire Department and Dominion East Ohio were at 1781 Lealand Ave. on Wednesday, said Chief George Brown.
“We have some other investigators coming tomorrow. They’re from the insurance company. Until we all compare notes, we won’t release a cause,” Brown said.
Dominion spokesman Neil Durbin said the company was providing technical assistance to Boardman and that the final cause determination will come from the fire department.
“We checked the Dominion natural gas lines which would be in service and that checked out OK. We also checked interior gas lines and those also checked out OK,” Durbin said.
Brown said crews have done all they can to make sure the neighborhood is safe.
“We’ve taken all precautions we can and we’ve done everything we can. I can’t tell you the exact cause, except that it’s probably an isolated case,” Brown said.
A neighbor reported hearing an explosion about 1 p.m. Tuesday, and when firefighters from Boardman and the Western Reserve Joint Fire District arrived on scene, they found a fire contained in the basement.
The home is owned by Dante and Amy Ginnetti, according to the Mahoning County Auditor’s Office.
Firefighters said the explosion lifted the house off its foundation. Officials also said homemade ammunition and gunpowder were found in the basement.
The house was built in 1966 and is valued at about $75,000; Structural damage was estimated at $50,000 and damage to the contents was about $15,000, Brown said. He added that could change once structural engineers examine the residence.
Nobody was home at the time, and the family’s pet dog was rescued from the house, firefighters said.