Crews were on the scene of an explosion that occurred Wednesday morning near Mansfield in Mifflin Township.
Ten fire departments, along with Columbia Gas, responded to the explosion, which occurred at a single-family home on Becky Drive around 6:45 a.m., according to the Ohio Department of Commerce.
Two occupants in the home were injured and transported to nearby hospitals, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce. Neighbors said the two were estimated to be in their 70s, and the couple had lived in the home for about 40 years.
"I thank God they made it out of there," neighbor Barbara Schaefer said.
Three firefighters from Mifflin Township Fire were also injured and transported. One firefighter suffered bruising after being hit by shrapnel, another suffered a hand injury; both are anticipated to be released Wednesday, Mifflin Township Fire said. The third firefighter is in surgery after suffering a serious hand injury.
Schaefer said she heard the explosion around 6:45 a.m.
"Boom! And I just up, and I thought, 'What in the world was that?' I looked out the front door, and oh my God," Schaefer said.
Meanwhile, Rusty Cates, another neighbor, woke up to banging on his door.
"He was not going to give up until sleepy Rusty gets out of bed and goes to see what’s there," Cates said.
Cates opened his door to see his longtime neighbor Dan Atwell, who had noticeable burns on his torso, arms and head. Atwell told Cates his house had just exploded.
"When I turned the corner, you could see a tremendous fire, I mean it was huge flames shooting up on the south side, or garage side, of his house," Cates said.
Atwell wanted help ensuring his wife got out of the home safely, but unbeknownst to him, neighbor Schaefer had already helped her escape the flames.
Minutes later, a second explosion occurred at the home, causing injuries to the three Mifflin Township firefighters.
Columbia Gas spokesperson Erica Chronaberry said the cause of the explosion was not related to natural gas.
"We will continue to support local authorities throughout the duration of the event and ongoing investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this tragic situation," Chronaberry said in a statement.
The State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosion Investigations Bureau is investigating the explosion.
News 5 has a crew headed to the scene, and this story will be updated once more information is learned.
