Ohio gas line pressure leads to explosion, fires

An evacuation had been ordered in the town, but residents were instead later directed to turn off gas lines and stay inside



FAIRPORT HARBOR, Ohio — Authorities say built-up pressure in natural gas lines led to a house explosion and then a series of fires in a northern Ohio community.

Deputy Chief Tom Talcott of the Mentor fire department says a dozen or more fires were reported early Monday in Fairport Harbor, northeast of Cleveland along Lake Erie. He says only two were still burning by late morning.

An evacuation had been ordered in the town, but when the situation stabilized, residents instead were directed to turn off gas lines and stay inside. Talcott says nearly the whole village was affected, but he didn't have an estimate of how many residents had evacuated their homes.

Mayor Frank Sarosy says there were no immediate reports of injuries.