Cleveland, OH

5 hospitalized, residents displaced after explosion, fire at apartment building

Published

6 months ago

June 24, 2025

5 hospitalized, residents displaced after explosion, fire at apartment building

Five people were hospitalized, and residents were displaced after an explosion led to a devastating fire at an apartment building in Cleveland’s Garden Valley neighborhood, according to the Cleveland Division of Fire.

“We ended up with 22 companies total on scene, so we had a big response,” said Cleveland Fire Lt. Mike Norman.

Now, all that remains are busted windows, a collapsed structure and lost memories for people like Jania Williams.

“I was already homeless before I had stayed down here so this was like a little escape like actually having like a breath of fresh air,” said Williams.

Before Monday’s fire, Williams said she and her son were enjoying the day at the zoo until she received a call from her friend Darnella Garner.

“When I got here, I seen her house on fire and that’s what really put the icing on the cake when I actually seen the flames coming out the roof. I’m like ‘Oh my God,’” said Garner.

Firefighters reported receiving a call around 4 p.m. regarding an explosion at an apartment building near E. 70th Street and Garden Valley Avenue. Upon arrival, they saw a massive hole in the side of the building.

Que Willis said he heard a loud noise and then saw the flames.

“I see like apartments like on fire. I’m talking about four, five apartments blew up,” said Willis.

Five people were transported to a nearby hospital by EMS; their conditions are unknown at this time.

“I don’t have the status on them right now, but I think they are in pretty serious condition,” said Norman.

Two dogs and a cat were also rescued from the building, Cleveland Fire said.

After about two hours of battling the flames, firefighters declared the fire a controlled burn and said they would conduct a third search for victims once the fire is extinguished.

“The challenge with a fire that’s underneath the roof is the roof itself. The roof does what a roof does. It repels the water and keeps the water from hitting the fire,” said Norman.

Cleveland Fire said over 60 firefighters from 22 different companies responded to the fire.

According to the fire department, the fire resulted in a $3.5 million loss. The American Red Cross deployed its Disaster Action Team members, who have established a short-term shelter at the Zelma George Recreation Center, located at 3155 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Cleveland, for those displaced.

“When I got the call about the explosion, I immediately jumped up and came to find out what is going on because we’re going to need some help,” said Councilman Richard Starr.

Monday evening, Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb released the following statement regarding the fire:

This afternoon, a fire broke out in the Garden Valley neighborhood, resulting in significant damage to several homes. The firefighters and first responders worked tirelessly to contain the fire and acted quickly to protect residents and preserve property. We extend our heartfelt concern to those affected by this incident, especially to the individuals who sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital.
The city is actively supporting the situation and is in coordination with local partners to ensure that those impacted receive the necessary support and resources during this challenging time. The American Red Cross also established the Zelma George Recreation Center as a temporary shelter for residents displaced by the fire. The city will continue to coordinate efforts with local organizations to assist those impacted by this tragedy as needed.
Advertisement

The fire is still under investigation, and News 5 is working to learn more.

We Follow Through

Want us to continue to follow through on a story? Let us know.

Source link

Related Topics:Featured News5Cleveland Northeast Ohio News

Click to comment

Cleveland, OH

Cleveland salt mine works year-round to keep Ohio roads safe

Published

2 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Cleveland salt mine works year-round to keep Ohio roads safe

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Road safety across Ohio begins 1,800 feet below Lake Erie at Cleveland’s Cargill salt mine near Whiskey Island.

19 News made the journey under ground to Cleveland’s Cargill salt time.

Superintendent of production Andrew Staker describes the operation as a “mini-city” where about 250 employees produce the salt that clears our roads and sidewalks.

“We provide over half the salt used here in the state of Ohio. Our salt also goes all over the Great Lakes Region even Virginia,” said Staker.

Thousands of tons of salt pass through this belt, and 500-700 trucks are loaded with salt each day.

Staker said his team works nonstop.

“It’s a big misconception that the mine is only busy during the wintertime,” said Staker. “We prepare in the springtime, so it is full giddy up. We are making salt all year round.”

Just like everyone else, Staker and his time are feeling the effects of winter’s early arrival.

“We take a lot of it snowfall by snowfall, so as demand ramps up, our teams here will put in extra overtime days to be able to meet customer demand,” said Staker.

Source link

Cleveland, OH

Semi-truck rips down power lines in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood for 4th time since July

Published

14 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Semi-truck rips down power lines in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood for 4th time since July

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The city of Cleveland is looking into why wires are dangling from West 25th Street in Ohio City.

Sam McNulty, owner of Nano Brew, says trucks are ripping through wires at the intersection of 25th Street and Bridge Avenue.

“4 times that cable has gone down,” McNulty said. “We’re shocked that whoever is in charge of that cable hasn’t figured out a way to elevate it a little bit more.”

In July, Ring doorbell footage caught a semi hitting the wires. You could see the wires falling to the ground.

Luckily, McNulty said, it’s a communication wire, but that doesn’t make the problem go away.

“This is a very active street tons of pedestrians, bicyclists, families, people are here almost 24 hours a day,” said McNulty.

The most recent incident was Thursday morning. McNulty says a crew wrapped ropes around the fallen wire.

“I am definitely not a line engineer but when I see random rope tied with pretty sketchy looking knots holding the cable up I think that’s probably not Osha approved,” said McNulty.

19 News reached out to the city of Cleveland, which said it is looking into the issue.

Source link

Cleveland, OH

Ohio National Guard members from Cleveland save woman while stationed in D.C.

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Ohio National Guard members from Cleveland save woman while stationed in D.C.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -A group of Ohio National Guard members, some from Cleveland, saved a woman’s life last week while on the Joint Task Force D.C. mission in the nation’s capital.

According to officials with the Army, a group of four soldiers from the 323rd Military Police Company, Ohio Army National Guard were on routine patrol when they heard a husband frantically calling for help.

The group of four, including Staff Sgt. Jered Moran, Sgt. James Nelson, Sgt. Jeremiah Slagle and Spc. Gogo Simitcievski, ran about the length of a football field to see if they could help.

Four Ohio National Guard members, some from Cleveland, were honored this week for saving a woman’s life in D.C. while on patrol.(Source: DVIDS JTF-DC)

When they arrived they found an unresponsive 34-year-old woman in the driver’s seat of a car and found she had no pulse and was not breathing.

The team immediately began CPR and rescue breaths in shifts for about six minutes before and ambulance arrived.

“To be on this mission is an honor,” said Moran. “My Soldiers and I are proud Ohioans and are grateful for the opportunity to serve in our nation’s capital by helping others.”

Officials have confirmed the woman was taken to a local hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

The four men were recognized at a small ceremony this week and continue their mission in D.C.

According to the Army the four, “received a Coin from the D.C. National Guard Senior Enlisted Leader, Command Sergeant Major Ronald L. Smith, recognizing them for lifesaving actions.”

Source link