Special Weather Statement issued March 19 at 4:28AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)
Gusty winds from 35 to 40 mph this afternoon could blow around unsecured items. Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor items.
Today 53° Today 53° 32° 32° Tomorrow 41° Tomorrow 41° 21° 21°
Tuesday, October 13th, 2020

1 killed in massive explosion

Blast could be seen, felt for several miles

By Sydney Albert
Photo by Ryan Snyder/The Daily Standard

Widespread damage is seen from the air on Monday morning at 3741 County Road 716A north of Chickasaw. A home exploded around 6 p.m. Sunday.

CHICKASAW - A woman died Sunday night after an explosion destroyed her home and rocked the surrounding area north of Chickasaw.
Rosella McClurg was declared missing for hours Sunday after her home at 3741 County Road 716A was leveled by a blast. The cause is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Division. First responders were dispatched to the scene at approximately 5:50 p.m., and McClurg's body was found about four hours later around 9:45 p.m., according to Montezuma Fire Chief Lee Braun.
The other resident of the house, Edward McClurg, had not been transported for injuries Sunday night. Braun said McClurg was staying with family members.
Nothing aside from a large debris field remains of the home, and the area remained sectioned off with caution tape on Monday. Braun said the property was still very dangerous for anyone to enter, in part because of the debris field with sharp objects and nails. A rear outbuilding had also been heavily damaged by the explosion. While still standing, it was unstable, Braun said.
A crew of first responders kept vigil at the scene through the night until investigators from the State Fire Marshal's Division returned Monday morning after an initial investigation on Sunday, Braun continued. Fire marshal investigators reportedly visited the scene Monday morning to conduct a preliminary investigation and take photographs.
Brian Bonhert, a marshal's spokesperson, said the investigation was still in its early stages, but investigators had examined the scene.
People at the scene on Sunday night reported smelling natural gas in the area.
As of Monday afternoon, the property had been turned over to the homeowner's insurance company for evaluation, according to Braun. The area will remain cordoned off until the insurance company clears it, he said.
After the explosion, the dark smoke plumes could be seen for miles, and people as far away as Coldwater and Rockford reported hearing the blast. When first responders arrived, the remains of the structure were reportedly engulfed by heavy flames.
Braun had reported on Sunday night the address of the destroyed home was 3751 County Road 716A, but that address actually belonged to a neighboring home, from which the initial emergency call had come.
That neighboring house sustained significant exterior damage as a result of the explosion but was still intact and had reportedly not caught fire. The windows of that house had been blown out, but Braun said none of the neighbors was injured.
Photo by Dan Melograna/The Daily Standard

An explosion completely destroyed a house north of Chickasaw. A neighbor's house was damaged by the blast.

Photo by Dan Melograna/The Daily Standard

Officials investigate the rubble that once was a home north of Chickasaw before a massive explosion on Sunday night.

Additional online stories on this date
CELINA - City officials plan to sell through sealed bid the former Illusions Nite Club, of which the city took possession this year after a drawn-out court case. [More]
Division II Girls State Golf Preview
St. Henry's Naumann lone Redskin, MAC golfer going to state
It was expected that Ellen Naumann would be in Columbus this weekend.
For the fourth straight season, the St. Henry senior will spend Friday and Saturday on the Gray Course at The Ohio State University competing in the Division II girls state golf tournament. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
MARIA STEIN - Marion Local school officials on Monday approved proceeding with plans to add four new classrooms to the elementary school.
School bo
Installation is required by summer
ST. HENRY - Village council members on Monday approved a resolution requiring property owners who do not have sidewalks to install them by summer.
CELINA - Six new cases of COVID-19 reported in Mercer County on Monday raised the county's total to 1,220.
The Auglaize County Health Department did not release any new information by press time.
ST. MARYS - Council members on Monday approved a temporary liquor permit for St. Marys Tailgate for Cancer organizers for the virtual Jean Sheaks Memorial 5K Run and Fun Walk planned for Saturday.
NEW BREMEN - Village Administrator Chris Dicke announced on Monday evening that she plans to retire from her position in December.
Dicke was hired to the position on May 31, 2016, after previously spending 25 years working for the Ohio Department of Transportation in a variety of positions.
ST. HENRY - Uncertainty over state funding, stagnant tax revenue and increasing expenditures resulted in a conservative five-year financial forecast for the school district.
COLDWATER - Village council members on Monday passed under suspension of rules an emergency ordinance amending this year's budget.
Finance director
Compiled by Thomas Haines
Parkway dispatched Ottoville 25-7, 25-10, 25-6 Monday night, cruising to a home sweep in volleyball action from Panther Gymnasium.
While it could be several years before fully autonomous vehicles travel the highways and byways of west-central Ohio, a good deal of the technology needed by those vehicles already can be found in cars, trucks and SUVs.