Bath Township, OH – A natural gas explosion caused fire and structure damage to a Bath Township home and also sent one to the hospital Tuesday.
At 9:20 a.m. the Bath Township Fire Department responded to a report of a gas explosion and fire at 711 Taylor Ave. Upon arrival, firefighters saw smoke and fire coming from the kitchen area. The home’s owners, Billy and Sharon Penland, along with their daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren, who also lived in the home, were able to escape before calling 911. Mrs. Penland suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries during the incident and was taken to St. Rita’s Medical Center. Fire crews remained at the scene for about two hours.
The kitchen area sustained heavy damage as a result of the explosion and subsequent fire, causing an estimated $25,000 in damages to the structure and contents. However, the Penlands advised authorities that both the home and contents will be covered under the family’s insurance, and Fire Department Chief Joseph Kitchen said the home is repairable. The Allen County chapter of the American Red Cross is providing the home’s occupants with assistance.
Investigators have ascertained that a gas leak led to the explosion, but the ignition source has not yet been determined. According to Kitchen, the explosion apparently originated near the electric range in the kitchen. The range was not in use at the time of the explosion but had been used earlier in the morning.
Representatives from Dominion East Ohio assisted during the fire and remained on the scene with investigators. The Penlands advised authorities that repairs had recently been made to the home’s gas service. The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing.
No firefighters were injured while battling the fire.