HILLSBORO, Ohio (WKRC) — Fire officials are investigating the cause of an explosion, which resulted in a fire, that killed three people and injured one other person in Ohio on Tuesday.
It happened at Jimbo’s Auto Repair in Hillsboro. As of Wednesday morning, the State Fire Marshal, OSHA, Paint Creek Joint EMS and city road crews are working to clear the debris and investigate the scene further.
But it’s understandably rocked the small town just an hour from both Dayton and Cincinnati.
Officials said the explosion was heard around 4 p.m. Tuesday. Eyewitnesses who spoke with WKRC say the explosion could be heard and the smoke could be seen for miles.
Dick Donley lives across the street, very close to the explosion and nearby restaurants and gas station. He said he was with his family when it happened Tuesday evening.
“I haven’t ever heard anything like that. My granddaughter said it was like a bomb went off. Somebody at the restaurant said, ‘I think we’ve been attacked,’” said Donley.
While there are no updates on the deceased victims’ identities as of Wednesday morning, the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office confirmed to WKRC that it is the agency that will conduct the autopsies.
The fourth victim was taken to the hospital and is reported to be stable.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7zZqroqeeYsSwvsudZp6woKG8tLXOp2SfoaKaerW0wK1kpZ2WqXp0ecOemJ1lYWK1tr7TZqmom5uoerC0yKhknKGkrnqrtcybpqxlkarBsHnRnqeaoaJitaq4y6yZqKqfYsC1rdOeZJ%2Bhopp6rq3RrJ%2BapF2kwKmtjKykqKOVYrmwwcNmpaiho5rAbrzOpaCcnV2eu7ex0q2goJmknryvecKoqaimlafAbrvFn6CcnQ%3D%3D