Explosion, blaze kill 1 at home in Huron Co.

12/22/2006

WILLIARD, Ohio - One person was killed yesterday when a single-story home exploded and burned about a mile north of Willard in Huron County's Greenfield Township, authorities said.

The name of the victim was not released until family members could be notified, said Bob McDowell, an investigator for the Huron County Prosecutor's Office.

The explosion at the home on Egypt Road was reported at 1:51 a.m. and the home was in flames when firefighters arrived, Willard Fire Department Capt. Max Helton said.

The cause of the explosion had not been determined, he said.

Neighbors reported hearing two explosions and that a relative of the man living there said that the man was repairing a gas leak in the basement.

With the help of search dogs, firefighters pulled the victim's body from debris in the basement in the early afternoon, Captain Helton said.

The remains were sent to the Lucas County coroner's office for an autopsy.

The victim was alone when the explosion occurred. The home was leveled by the blast, Mr. McDowell said.

Columbia Gas and the State Fire Marshal's Office sent investigators to assist Huron County sheriff's deputies, he said.