Explosion, Fire Destroy Mifflin Township Home, Injures Three Firefighters and Leaves Resident Severely Burned
MIFLLIN TOWNSHIP, OHIO — A devastating early morning explosion rocked a quiet stretch of Mifflin Township on Wednesday, destroying a home, severely burning one resident, and injuring three firefighters during a chaotic firefight that followed.
According to Madison Township Fire Chief Ron Justice, crews were dispatched at 6:48 a.m. for a report of a house explosion. Chief Justice was the first on the scene.
“When I arrived, I encountered fire coming from the center of the structure, flames venting out through the roof, and a male lying in the front yard with extensive burns,” said Justice. “We initiated our fire attack as soon as Mifflin’s engine arrived. Their medic unit began treating the man, who had suffered burns across 30 to 40 percent of his body—from head to waist.”
His wife, though initially reported to have been safely across the street, was actually inside the home at the time of the explosion, according to a neighbor’s account.
“She walked barefoot through glass and debris, without a scratch,” said neighbor Larry Diller, whose wife helped rescue the woman from the garage. “It’s an absolute miracle. She made it across the yard to our front lawn, and she was sitting there when the fire department arrived.”
As fire crews worked to contain the blaze, a secondary explosion erupted from within the structure, scattering debris hundreds of feet and injuring three firefighters.
“One firefighter has significant traumatic injuries to his hand and was sent to Columbus,” said Chief Justice. “The other two had minor injuries and are being treated locally.”
Officials believe both explosions were caused by large propane tanks stored inside the residence and garage. At least three 100-pound propane cylinders and acetylene tanks were discovered at the scene.
“We’re not sure why those tanks were there,” said Justice. “They’re not the kind you’d use for grilling—these are substantial tanks, and it’s unusual to see them in a residential garage.”
The second blast sent debris flying in all directions. A large cylinder was launched nearly 250 feet from the home, and a 2×4 was embedded in a nearby house, melting siding and damaging walls. One neighbor reported hearing popping noises consistent with ammunition or shells igniting inside the home during the fire.
“The flames were 20 feet in the air when we got here,” Justice said. “Water access was also a challenge, so we had to call in multiple departments for tanker support.”
Fire departments from Mifflin, Madison, Mansfield, Monroe, Mifflin Township in Ashland County, Washington Township, and Savannah all responded. Roughly 35 firefighters worked the scene. The injured male resident was later airlifted from Mansfield to a burn center.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were called in to investigate due to the nature of the explosion and presence of pressurized tanks and other materials.
“God had His hand on a lot of people today,” said Diller. “Please keep our neighbors in your prayers.”
Officials say the investigation is ongoing, and more details will be released as they become available.
