“The occupants had turned many/most of the gas valves inside before realizing the main service valve was locked from the outside, leading to confusion on what was supposed to be open or closed,” according to the report.
Firefighters responded to the first block of George in the early morning hours of Nov. 29.
The house was engulfed in fire.
Credit: DaytonDailyNews
The report said there were seven people in the house at the time of the explosion and fire, including Gary Steinmetz, who spoke with News Center 7’s John Bedell earlier this week.
"I opened up that bedroom door, and I guess the backdraft pulling that door open just…boom," Steinmetz said.
"I'm blessed,” Steinmetz said. “Somebody was watching over me for sure. I mean, I shouldn't be here talking about it."
His bandages were a marker of the 34 days he spent in the hospital.
"I've got third- and fourth-degree burns. (The explosion) blew my right ear off. Extensive skin grafts. It burnt my arms up real bad," Steinmetz said.
Firefighters said to leave gas line and other mechanical work to professionals.
“Do not tamper with shut-offs and controls of utility locks,” firefighters said. “If you are homeless, please consider reaching out to a shelter or other solutions rather than use alternate, dangerous methods of heating.”
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