Regulators: Ice may be factor in Ohio gas fires

FAIRPORT HARBOR, Ohio – Ohio regulators say ice may have been a factor in the buildup of natural gas pressure that triggered a house explosion, fires and an evacuation in one village.

Spokesman Matt Butler with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio said Wednesday that ice was among many observations under review in Fairport Harbor.

He said there have been no conclusions on the cause of a pressure regulator failure Monday amid freezing temperatures.

Dominion East Ohio tells The Associated Press the gas company found fluids and debris in a regulator and is investigating.

Mayor Frank Sarosy (sah-ROH'-see) tells the AP seven houses were destroyed and about 23 more were damaged. No injuries were reported in the community about 30 miles northeast of Cleveland.

The mayor estimates 20 percent of 3,000 residents evacuated before the evacuation order was rescinded.

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Information from: The News-Herald, http://www.news-herald.com