A Hambden firefighter and his daughter were severely injured in a house explosion in Montville Township, according to Montville Fire Chief Ron Jonovich.
Around 2:40 p.m., Jonovich said Montville Fire dispatch received a call about a structure fire on Hart Road.
The chief said Montville Fire responded, along with Hambden Fire, which arrived at the scene within a few minutes. When Hambden Fire arrived at the location, they told Jonovich that the home was fully engulfed and laid out lines to extinguish the fire.
When the chief arrived, he said flames were coming from every opening in the structure.
"The one wall was blown off in the explosion along with front windows of the structure, and most of the back of the house is pretty much destroyed," Jonovich said.
Jonovich said a Hambden firefighter who lived at the house with two of his daughters was severely burned in the explosion.
The chief said there were burns on the man's arms and legs, and Thompson Fire transported him to University Hospital. From there, Life Flight was notified to transfer him to Metro downtown.
According to Jonovich, one of the injured firefighter's daughters had burns on her hands, legs and hair. The Chardon Fire Department transported her directly to Metro to have her treated for her burns.
The degree of burns is unknown at this time, Jonovich said.
The Hambden firefighter's other daughter did not have any injuries and remained at the scene with other family members.
The chief said an investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, but the department believes it was caused by propane.
"According to one daughter, he was downstairs working on the furnace and something got a spark, it ignited, and it blew up," Jonovich said.
The chief said the home was a total loss.
The Geauga County Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the explosion along with the state fire marshal.
Jonovich said the department was made aware that dogs were in the house. They found one dead and are trying to find the other one.
News 5 asked the chief how it felt knowing that the victim was also a firefighter.
"You feel bad no matter any of the calls you do when it's citizens or anybody else — but you feel a little bit more disbelief when it's one of your own that's injured and you're trying to treat him and get his house out also," Jonovich said.
Multiple agencies from three counties responded to help Hambden Fire with water and manpower. Numerous tankers were on the scene due to a lack of hydrants.
Hambden Fire Chief Scott Hildenbrand did not name the firefighter who was injured.
But he said the captain, who was severely burned, has been working part-time at their department for more than 20 years.
“He took care of (and still does) the explorer group (for) the kids that want to become firefighters and aren’t old enough but he’s the leader of the group, so he’s very well-known and very caring,” said Hildenbrand.
Hildenbrand said the department and community will be there for him and his family.
“I know that not only is it difficult right now, not only with the injury and the recovery, but also there’s no place to live. I mean everything he owns is pretty much burned up,” said Hildenbrand.
On Saturday, Blue Line Unlimited, a Northeast Ohio-based nonprofit that serves first responders throughout communities, announced a $100,000 donation commitment to the victim and his family.
"There is no better feeling than when you know that you can impact a family in a time of need. and know that you can take the weight off of their shoulders," Vice President of Blue Line Unlimited Ralph Spidalieri said.
The money comes from the nonprofit's Bronco raffle, and every raffle ticket purchased will directly benefit the family to help rebuild their lives.
You can buy tickets here for a chance to win the car and help the family.
