SHELBY — A Springfield Township residence was leveled during a house explosion last Friday near Crestline.
One woman was killed and two people were left injured during the incident, which occurred between 1 and 1:30 p.m. at 4031 Hook Road.
Springfield Township Fire Department was the first to respond, followed by several area departments which provided mutual aid — including Troy, Jefferson, Plymouth, Madison and Washington townships, as well as Crestline, Galion, Mansfield and Shelby.
Shelby Mayor Steve Schag addressed the tragedy Monday during Shelby City Council’s regular meeting.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families and friends of the victims of last Friday’s horrendous house explosion on Hook Road in Springfield Township,” he said.
Bob Ball, chief investigator for the Richland County Coroner’s Office, previously told Richland Source the deceased was identified as Krista Cramer, 47.
Cramer’s husband, who was with her in the basement of the residence during the explosion, survived — but was also burned and hospitalized.
An additional female victim was outside of the house during the blast. She was transported by Springfield Township EMS to a local hospital.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Schag thanks first responders
During Monday’s meeting, Schag said he wanted to recognize the incident’s first responders from Shelby and surrounding Richland County departments.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Metro Life Flight were also on scene, according to the Richland County EMA.
“The Shelby Fire Department pulled resources together, both equipment and manpower, in an effort to join forces with many others in their rescue efforts,” the mayor said.
Schag shared with councilmembers thoughts from Shelby Fire Chief Mike Thompson, who sent an email to the mayor Monday morning.
“The scene was total devastation,” Thompson wrote to Schag. “Initially, we sent one tanker for a possible structure fire. Eventually, an engine crew and manpower were sent.”
Members of SFD were in the basement of the Hook Road residence, digging debris by hand while attempting to locate the victims, the chief wrote.
“I personally received a call from one of the Springfield officers in charge on how our personnel performed above and beyond the call of duty,” Thompson said in his email.
Shelby firefighters who responded to Friday’s scene include Caulin Finnegan, Andrew Robinson, Sam Sauder, Eric Linstrum, Calvin Redden and Steve Loveless.
Brian Finnegan, Ian Abbott, Mike Coleman, Josh Gwirtz and Brian Knowlton all responded from their home to the call.
“I believe as Shelbians, we have a right to be proud of and thankful for the outstanding members of the Shelby Fire Department,” Schag said.
“If you see one of our firefighters, be sure to give them a word of commendation for how they responded, along with many of the others in our county to this tragic event.”
PREVIOUS REPORTING
In other action Monday, City Council:
— proclaimed Oct. 1 through 7 as Stormwater Awareness Week in collaboration with the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District.
— passed the first reading of Ordinance 21-2024, enacting Section 1296.18 (minimum lot width requirement) of the city’s codified ordinances.
— amended Ordinance 5-2024 (annual appropriations) to increase expenditures for capital improvement, computer support, equipment, Seltzer Park rehabilitation, construction and utility payments, among others.
— accepted the amounts and rates, as determined by the budget commission, and authorized the necessary tax levies and certified them to the county auditor.
— accepted, by donation, the property located at 17 Mohican St. and posthumously thanked James L. Swanger.
— authorized Schag to submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement program(s) and to execute contracts as required for the City of Shelby; State Street and Consolidated Drive drainage improvements project.