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Ohio house explodes; 2 reported dead

Investigators believe a propane tank may have exploded, but the state fire marshal is still investigating

By Meghan Barr
The Associated Press

SUFFIELD, Ohio — Fire officials say a woman and her grandson were killed when an Ohio home exploded in a blast that was heard miles away.

Portage County Sheriff David Doak says 63-year-old Regina Proudfoot and her 21-year-old grandson, Robert Croft, were killed when the explosion leveled the home at about 4 a.m. Wednesday.

It left nothing but a large crater filled with debris. Firefighters were spraying the embers with a hose as the victims’ relatives walked through the wreckage.

Doak says investigators believe a propane tank may have exploded, but the state fire marshal is still investigating.

Neighbors say the explosion sounded like a plane crash in the backyard. Mike Baughman, who lives next door, says Proudfoot’s daughter was outside the burning home screaming that her family members were still inside.