Natural Gas explosion injures three firefighters

[Fightinsharks]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Three firefighters were injured Friday afternoon in a natural gas explosion on the city's west side.

The explosion occurred shortly before 2:30 p.m. in the 2300 block of West Broad Street, near South Highland Avenue, 10TV News reported.

According to Columbus Division of Fire Battalion Chief Doug Smith, construction workers struck a natural gas line that later exploded and injured three firefighters.

According to Smith, the building housed an adult-entertainment business.

An employee of the business smelled gas and called for help. The building exploded a short time after firefighters arrived at the scene, 10TV's Brittany Westbrook reported.

"I know (the firefighters) were right by the building when it exploded," Smith said.

Two firefighters were transported to Mount Carmel West Hospital and the other firefighter was taken to The Ohio State University Medical Center, 10TV News reported.

There was no immediate word on the firefighters' conditions.

[jim trk 1]

Hello All,

 I was on that fire yesterday, sure was a mess. I arrived about 20 min into the incident. I took a bunch of pics, when I was not stretching handlines, supply lines, or overhauling the exposures. The blast blew out all the windows of the buildings across the street.  Never seen anything like this call before, glad no one was killed. Stay safe out there.

[yfdgricker]

Pics from Jim...

[yfdgricker]

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