Ohio Gas Line Explodes, Sparking Massive Fire: 'I Thought It Was an Earthquake'

A suspected gas line explosion in Ohio's Pepper Pike sparked a massive fire this morning, with flames reaching high, forcing the evacuation of local residents.

The incident occurred at approximately 1 a.m. this morning on Brainard Circle, in close vicinity to the local fire station and city hall, Fox 8 reported. Officials from the gas company linked to the site arrived at the scene within half an hour, cutting the supply at around 3:30 a.m.

According to WOIO, the blaze could be seen from miles away and flames reached 50 feet into the air. Multiple roads were immediately closed.

Up to 10 residents who live close to the impacted area were asked to evacuate their homes and were sent to a community center. One officer told Fox 8 that crews were working on the gas line, but it was not immediately clear if that had been linked to the explosion.

The Pepper Pike Police Department confirmed that Brainard Circle was closed due to a gas line explosion. It said there were no injuries sustained in the blast and no homes had been damaged, but said power was currently being shut off for about 500 residents.

Authorities said an energy firm is evaluating damage but did not comment on when the power would be restored. The blaze has been brought under control by the fire department. One local resident, Patricia Finley, told Fox 8 that she heard a loud explosion first-hand.

"I heard a loud noise and all of a sudden [I see] my bedroom light up," Finley told the news website in an interview. "I couldn't figure out where it came from. I looked out the window and saw the woods were on fire. It was scary because I didn't know what it was, at first I thought it was an earthquake because the house shook, the windows were shaking," she added.

Speaking to WOIO reporter Damon Maloney, one resident called Jerry Isaak-Shapiro said his family had been woken up by police officers warning homeowners of the blaze.

"We were asleep and the police, who are terrific here, pounded on the door," the man said. "We didn't know what was going on so I ran downstairs. They said there was a fire very close and they highly recommended evacuation. Now we are here we are thinking about what we could have grabbed, pictures, photo albums, but god willing the house is still going to be standing."

Multiple roads have been affected by the probe. According to WKYC, the following roads were closed: Gates Mills Boulevard from Lander Road to Brainard Circle, Shaker Boulevard from Lander to Richmond Road and Brainard Road from Fairmount to South Woodland.

WOIO reported that Ratner Montessori School will also be closed today due to the explosion. Videos posted to social media showed the flames raging this morning.

"The fire is burning in the Shaker Boulevard traffic circle by the Pepper Pike City Hall," wrote WEWS reporter Mike Vielhaber, adding: "I haven't talked to anyone official yet but it looks to be an active construction area. Neighbors said there has been gas line work in that area."

The official police investigation is continuing into what caused the explosion. Preliminary findings suggest the incident was related to ongoing construction in the area, Maloney reported.