PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — Two people were critically injured Sunday afternoon after an apparent explosion and fire caused extensive damage to a home in Portsmouth.
The Portsmouth Fire Department responded around 2:16 p.m. Aug. 16 to a residence on Circle Drive. When firefighters arrived, officials said the home showed significant damage consistent with an explosion, along with evidence of a fire inside.
Crews entered the residence and worked to extinguish fires in multiple rooms.
Firefighters later learned that two women had escaped from the home before crews arrived. Both had suffered critical injuries and required medical treatment.
The two victims were initially transported to Southern Ohio Medical Center before being transferred to Ohio State University Medical Center for additional care. One of the victims was flown to the Columbus hospital.
The circumstances surrounding the apparent explosion remain under investigation.
The Portsmouth Fire Department is investigating alongside the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office and the National Transportation Safety Board.
No additional information about the victims or their current conditions was immediately released.
