Cleveland firefighters battled a large fire Monday afternoon following a reported explosion at an apartment complex on the city’s east side, leaving five people hospitalized and displacing residents.
Emergency crews were called to the scene on Garden Valley Avenue near East 70th Street around 4:15 p.m. after reports of an explosion. According to Cleveland Fire Lt. Mike Norman, the blast left a gaping hole in the side of the building, and flames quickly spread throughout the structure.
“There’s a massive hole in the side of the building—you can see straight through it,” Norman said during a briefing at the scene.
More than 60 firefighters from 22 companies responded, working for hours to contain the blaze. Crews faced difficulties due to extreme heat and solar panels on the building’s roof, which complicated their efforts to extinguish the fire. Norman explained that parts of the roof had to be allowed to burn off in a controlled manner to access the flames beneath.
A spokesperson from MetroHealth confirmed that five people were transported to the hospital, reportedly in serious condition. Witnesses said some of the victims appeared to suffer severe burns. Two dogs were also rescued from the building.
Residents told reporters they heard a loud blast that sounded like “a bomb went off” and said they had smelled natural gas throughout the day. Several witnesses described chaotic scenes as neighbors rushed to help, including one account of a small child being safely caught after being dropped from an apartment window.
City officials estimate the fire caused roughly $3.5 million in damage. The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation.
The City of Cleveland released a statement praising first responders and expressing concern for those injured. The city, along with the American Red Cross, is assisting displaced residents, with the Zelma George Recreation Center serving as a temporary shelter.
Authorities have closed East 79th to East 70th streets between Kinsman and Bessemer while the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact local authorities.
