CLEVELAND — The City of Cleveland announced it could not determine the cause of the deadly explosion at the Rainbow Terrace Apartments in Garden Valley in June 2025.
You can watch the news conference in the player below:
The explosion happened on June 23, 2025. A father was killed, five others were taken to the hospital, and over 100 people were left without a home.
During the news conference, Cleveland Division of Fire Captain Bob Zimmerer said an investigation into what happened has left the cause undetermined.
Zimmerer said the explosion and collapse made it difficult to pinpoint the cause and origin, and the investigation took longer than usual.
"What we do know is that there was some type of rapid accumulation of natural gas," Zimmerer said.
According to the city, a maintenance worker and a child smelled natural gas before the explosion happened. The child flagged a security guard about the odor, and fire officials said the gas was the most likely fuel source. What caused the explosion, however, remains undetermined, as anything from someone turning on an appliance to something else could have triggered the blast.
Council member Richard Starr called the determination a failure.
"It’s a failure on the mishaps of the city of Cleveland because they are saying it’s inconclusive and undetermined when that’s a lie," Starr said.
Starr says he believes there may have been a pipe malfunction.
The city says Enbridge Gas inspected its pipes with oversight of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
Mayor Justin Bibb said 44 families were affected by the explosion.
"You deserve accountability, transparency and our continued support," Bibb said.
Kyanna Bell says her two children were severely burned and one child lost their father in the explosion.
"They ain’t got no business with burns 85%, 75%, his daddy 95% gone. Who’s to blame?, Bell said last week.
Bell called out city leaders for not having answers sooner during public comment at the Cleveland City Council meeting.
“Ya’ll left us out here like we’re a piece of nothing," Bell said.
On Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m., the city will meet with Rainbow Terrace residents at the Zelma George Rec Center to answer questions and address stabilization needs.
And while the cause of the explosion remains undetermined, the city is working with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on the investigation.
Mayor Bibb says they would like anyone to come forward with any new information about the explosion.
"We stand ready with those residents to hold anybody responsible and accountable for what happened," Mayor Bibb said.
In December, News 5's Remi Murrey spoke to Cleveland Fire officials about the explosion.
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