PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — Two women suffered critical injuries Sunday after a house on Circle Drive in Portsmouth sustained heavy damage in an apparent explosion followed by a fire.
The Portsmouth Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 2:16 p.m. Aug. 16 to 2894 Circle Drive following reports of a house fire associated with an explosion.
Firefighters arrived to find the residential structure heavily damaged, with conditions consistent with an explosion and signs of fire inside the home.
Crews entered the residence and quickly extinguished fires in multiple rooms. During suppression operations, firefighters were informed that the residents had escaped the home but required medical attention.
Two female victims were found suffering from critical injuries. They were treated at the scene before being transported to Southern Ohio Medical Center by Portsmouth Fire Department crews and Portsmouth Ambulance.
Both women were later transferred to Ohio State University Medical Center for further evaluation and specialized treatment. One was transported by air ambulance, while the other was taken by ground.
The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation.
