It was a worker for a gas company investigating a leak who was killed this week in a natural gas explosion in Canton, Ohio. The person worked for Ameren Illiniois. Eleven others were injured in the massive blast that happened just before 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
“All of the sudden, I heard the biggest kaboom I have ever heard in my life,” said Jill Dillefeld, a nurse. “I ran down and saw a man lying in the parking lot near Dollar general. He had been there working on a gas leak that they were called to work on. He reminded me of those 9/11 victims that you saw, all covered with dust and debris.”
The explosion happened at the Opera House Professional Center in Canton and the cause has yet to be determined. reports indicate the Ameren Illinois gas workers had arrived about 5:30 p.m. following reports acontractor had damaged a gas line.
“The crew squeezed off the gas and was in the process of making repairs when the explosion occurred. We are investigating the cause of the incident and have no other details to report at this time,” said the company in a statement.