Victim in Kettering house explosion, fire identified

UPDATE @ 9:01 a.m. (Dec. 5):

The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office has been notified of a death from this morning’s house explosion, fire on North Claridge Drive.

No other information about the death has been released, pending notification of family, a spokesperson said.

UPDATE @ 6:32 a.m. (Dec. 5):

A woman is in critical condition after being thrown from a home in an explosion and fire in Kettering, according to firefighters.

“She was thrown out of the house that exploded,” said Kettering Fire Chief Tom Butts, who added that the victim was found behind a neighbor’s house. “It sure appears like it could be a natural gas type explosion.”

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Firefighters responded to the house in the 400 block of North Claridge Drive shortly after 4:30 a.m. and found the home engulfed.

The victim was taken to Kettering Medical Center.

Ed Carter lives next to the house that exploded and said he was called after his daughter looked out the window to see the house on

“I got a phone call from a frantic daughter a little bit before 5 a.m. saying the house next door blew up,” Carter said.

Debris is scattered on neighboring properties and firefighters said they are hoping once more daylight comes that they will be able to get a better idea of any damage to any other homes nearby.

Carter said he’s thankful his family is OK, but can’t believe some of the damage he’s seen.

“It’s hard to fathom, I mean this house is flattened. There’s nothing left of it,” Carter said.

Butts said neighbors have reported the woman was the only person that lived at the home.

UPDATE @ 5:49 a.m. (Dec. 5):

A woman was transported to a local hospital in critical condition following a house fire near the intersection of North Claridge and South Claridge drives in Kettering Tuesday, according to firefighters.

The first crew on the scene reported the house was engulfed when they arrived shortly after 4:30 a.m.

Debris from the house was found in a neighboring yard and neighbors said they heard an explosion before the fire was discovered.

“We heard an explosion,” said Chris Wettle, who lives down the street.  “We thought it was our neighbor’s house.”

Firefighters evacuated two neighboring homes as a precaution while battling the fire and some damage to those homes has been reported, according to initial reports.

UPDATE @5:05 a.m.

One person has been critically injured in a house fire, according to reports.

Two medics have been requested to the scene.

Crews continue to fight the fire.

FIRST REPORT

Crews are battling a fully involved structure fire.

The fire was reported around 4:35 a.m. on Claridge Drive. Fire crews reported heavy smoke and flames upon arrival.

Initial reports indicate at least one neighboring house has been damaged by smoke and flames.  An explosion has been reported.

Two medics have been requested and at least one person was injured, according to reports.

This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.