2 hospitalized after house explosion in Canton: Here’s what to know

CANTON, Ohio (WOIO) - Two people were hospitalized after a house explosion in Canton early Thursday morning.

Canton Fire Division Chief Steven Henderson told 19 News that the call came in before 4 a.m. for a home explosion located at 1617 Bonnot Place NE.

When fire crews arrived, they found the home destroyed.

Security cameras captured the explosion.

Fire officials found one person in the street who had been blown from the home by the blast.

That person was taken to the hospital with serious burns.

The injured victim told firefighters that another person was inside the home at the time of the explosion.

After searching for the second person in the home, at around 8:21 a.m., firefighters responded to 1521 15th Street NE for reports of a person with severe burns.

The man was taken to Aultman Hospital and is expected to be transferred to the Burn Center at Akron Children’s Hospital for specialized treatment.

Firefighters arrived and found fire extending to neighboring homes and brought down multiple power lines, creating additional hazards for first responders and homeowners, according to the release.

Three residents safely exited a nearby home as firefighters arrived.

Several homes in the surrounding area sustained varying degrees of fire and structural damage as a result of the explosion.

The American Red Cross was called to assist displaced neighbors.

An excavator was brought to the scene to aid crews in searching through the debris field and to support ongoing operations, according to the release.

A natural gas explosion likely sparked the fire and left the home flattened, Henderson told 19 News.

Henderson said the home was vacant and for sale.

Canton Fire estimated the damage at about $83,100.

This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.