Local News
2 Dead, 1 Critically Injured After House Explosion in Bethel, Ohio
Tragedy struck the Bethel community on Tuesday morning when a home on Vic Joy Drive exploded and caught fire, leaving two people dead and another critically injured.
Fire officials responded to the incident at approximately 8:44 a.m. following reports of a fire with possible entrapment.
Bethel-Tate Fire Chief Christopher Cooper confirmed that emergency crews were en route when they received reports of a possible explosion.
Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy flames engulfing the home and debris scattered throughout the neighborhood.
The explosion, which shook the surrounding area, was described by neighbors as “deafening,” waking many from their sleep.
Two individuals, a man and a woman, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The victims have been identified as Barry and his girlfriend Hellen Colston, widely known as Lucy Colston or Lucy Evans.
She was 52 years old and leaves behind a legacy of love and family, including a child, grandchildren, nieces, and two sisters who mourn her loss deeply.
A third victim, an HVAC technician, sustained severe burn injuries and was transported to UC Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.
Three cats were rescued from the scene and taken to a veterinarian for treatment.
Neighbors referred to the home as “the cat house” due to the large number of cats frequently seen on the property. Chief Cooper confirmed the presence of numerous cats in the area during the response.
The fire was brought under control within 45 minutes, thanks to the combined efforts of four mutual aid departments. However, the destruction was extensive, with debris launched across the neighborhood, damaging nearby properties.
The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and fire. Investigators are currently sifting through the wreckage to pinpoint the origin of the blast.
Photos and videos captured by residents depict the devastation, showing the home reduced to rubble and surrounded by scorched debris. One neighbor’s doorbell camera recorded the explosion, which has since circulated widely on social media.
Many residents shared accounts of feeling the blast in their homes, underlining the explosion’s intensity.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and the injuries sustained in this incident,” said Chief Cooper. “We’re working tirelessly to determine the cause of the explosion and ensure the safety of the community.”
As the investigation continues, officials encourage anyone with information, photos, or video evidence to contact the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office.
SABINE PASS, Texas — Three construction workers lost their lives and two others sustained injuries following a scaffolding collapse early Tuesday morning at the Port Arthur LNG construction site in Sabine Pass.
Officials have identified the deceased workers as Reggie McGee, Felix Lopez and Felipe Mendez.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m. on April 29 at the large-scale industrial site operated by Bechtel, the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the project.
Sempra Infrastructure, one of the developers behind the LNG facility, confirmed the incident in a statement and noted that an immediate work stoppage was implemented across the site.
According to Bechtel, the collapse involved a “tank jump form system” at elevation.
The failure led to multiple workers falling, with two pronounced dead at the scene.
A third worker, a 41-year-old man from Houston, suffered cardiac arrest and later died at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, according to Jefferson County Precinct One Justice of the Peace Ben Collins Sr.
Two additional workers were injured in the collapse but have since been treated and released from the hospital, Sempra Infrastructure confirmed.
Captain Crystal Holmes of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office stated that a failure within the scaffolding system caused the workers to fall.
She confirmed that only three individuals fell to the ground. It remains unclear whether the workers were wearing fall protection gear at the time of the incident.
A visual assessment of the site from Texas Highway 82 revealed a concrete tank surrounded by three levels of scaffolding.
A section estimated to be between 8 to 12 feet in length from each level appeared to have detached and now hangs at a 45-degree angle.
Nearby, a rigging strap remains loosely affixed to the hook block of a tower crane, swaying in the wind—a detail investigators are examining for its possible role in the collapse.
Authorities are exploring whether a falling load may have struck the scaffolding or if the incident stemmed from a rigging or structural failure.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a formal investigation, which will include a comprehensive review of the equipment, site procedures, and any potential violations. The results will be released upon completion of the investigation.
Bechtel and Sempra Infrastructure have both issued statements expressing condolences to the families of the victims and affirming their commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all personnel. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” said a Bechtel spokesperson. “Our thoughts are with the families and our colleagues who have been affected.”
“All work at the site was immediately halted, and craft professionals were sent home to be with their families during this difficult time,” Bechtel added. Sempra echoed that work will remain suspended while the incident is under investigation.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation in coordination with Bechtel and relevant regulatory agencies. Captain Holmes noted that the investigative process would be “slow and methodical” to ensure all factors contributing to the collapse are fully understood.
Port Arthur LNG is a joint venture between Sempra Infrastructure and ConocoPhillips.
Construction at the site has been ongoing for several years as part of a broader effort to expand U.S. liquefied natural gas export capacity.
Bechtel emphasized that their top priority remains supporting the impacted families and ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to understand the cause of the incident and prevent future tragedies.