Witnesses: Howland building ‘just blew up’

Trumbull County dispatch reports that a call was made to Howland safety forces about 1:55 p.m. Thursday to investigate a report that a building “just blew up” in the 2700 block of Virginia Ave. S.E. near Niles Road Southeast in the township.

Fire departments from as far away as Bazetta were dispatched to the scene as they were advised to come down Draper Street Southwest as debris across Valacamp Avenue and Niles Road had closed those roadways.

The report didn’t confirm if a vehicle had struck the building or not, but the house was completely leveled.

A state fire marshal investigator was reported on the scene by 2:25 p.m., the report states.

The investigation continues as to the cause of the incident, the report stated.

The Howland Fire Department didn’t have anything more about the explosion but an earlier post said that cones have blocked Valacamp Avenue at the intersection with Ridge Road, which is in the same area, because of downed power lines. that may be why dispatchers guided the emergency vehicles away from this area as well as the debris.

This story was originally published February 1, 2024 at 6:10 PM.