TATE TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Two people are dead after a house exploded in Tate Township Tuesday morning, according to Bethel-Tate Fire Chief Christopher Cooper.
Cooper said crews were dispatched to the home on Joy Vic Drive at around 8:44 a.m. Tuesday morning. The home was severely damaged and still actively burning when WCPO crews arrived.
Cooper said the explosion was strong enough that it sent debris throughout the neighborhood and caused minor damage to nearby homes.
A third person was taken to the hospital with burns, but Cooper said he did not have an update on that person's condition.
Neighbors near the home said at least a portion of the home exploded, making a noise so loud it woke them up.
"Roughly 9 o'clock, I was sleeping, got woke by a huge explosion," said Derrick Gullett, a neighbor who lives nearby. "Fell out of bed, come outside, seen a gentleman running from the residence that was currently working inside the residence. It's shocking. His hair was still on fire when he was out."
Gullett said the man told him he'd been working inside on the home's furnace when "all of a sudden it popped and exploded."
WATCH: Video of the moment of the explosion in the player below.
He said the couple who live in the home are sweet, lovely people with several cats.
Officials have not yet identified the two people found dead after the explosion.
Cooper also mentioned that there were several cats in the home and the area when crews arrived.
By Wednesday, Cooper estimated that around 20 to 30 cats were found dead at the scene. Around 15 cats were taken to area vets, but only three or four ultimately survived, Cooper said. Officials found a dead dog at the scene as well.
The investigation into what caused the explosion is ongoing and being conducted by the State Fire Marshal's office, Cooper said.
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