A house explosion in Steubenville on Tuesday evening left one person dead and triggered a large emergency response along Rosslyn Boulevard.
Fire crews were dispatched shortly before 9 p.m. after a blast leveled a home behind Pugliese West Elementary School. Upon arrival, responders found the structure completely collapsed with a small fire that was quickly extinguished.
Steubenville Fire Chief Joe Ribar said initial crews were informed by neighbors that a person was trapped inside the residence. Firefighters began entering the debris but were limited in how far they could safely proceed due to the extent of the collapse.
A specialized urban search and rescue team was called to the scene to stabilize the structure and assist with the search. Crews later confirmed that one person was found dead inside the home.
Authorities said another occupant was able to escape the residence with assistance from a neighbor.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing calls for help from within the rubble shortly after the explosion and alerted firefighters as flames began to emerge.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
