One man was injured when a home exploded Tuesday evening on Courtland Avenue at the intersection of South Hawkins Avenue in West Akron.
The blast was so forceful people as far as 3 miles away felt and heard it. Akron Fire Department spokesman Michael Brooks said when firefighters responded to neighbors’ calls about the explosion at 7:39 p.m. they found the house flattened and burning and the 30- to 40-year-old man in the yard bleeding and covered in burns.
The man, whose identity has not been confirmed, was transported to Cleveland Clinic Akron General for treatment. His condition was not known.
Brooks said firefighters were unaware of anyone else in the home or any other person who was injured by the blast.
However, a cat was rescued and treated by paramedics at the scene. Brooks said it was not clear whether the cat was from the burning home.
Pieces of the house including window frames were blown onto Courtland and South Hawkins, littering the street and adjoining properties. It was all that remained of the house. The wind carried black smoke and strong fumes over several blocks north of ground zero.
The intersection was closed Tuesday night.
Firefighters are investigating, but Brooks said the explosion was likely caused by natural gas.
People were evacuated from nearby homes, and gas and electric workers were on the scene as late at 9:30 p.m. trying to cut off the gas as the fire burned on.
Nanette Perryman, who lives a mile away on Copley Road, thought a car had hit her house when she heard the explosion.
“I went outside to see what happened, and there was nothing there,” she said. “I had to walk all this way to see what it was.”
Also curious was Aaron Jenkins, who lives 3 miles away on St. Michaels Avenue.
“My wife said, ‘Did you feel that?’ And I said ‘I sure did.’ ’’ Jenkins said. “I came down to see what it was.”
They stood with others as firefighters worked to contain the fire on the ground in the center of the property. It was still burning as late at 9:15 p.m.
Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/paulaschleis.