that's where newcomerstown it located. nichole vrsansky is at the scene this morning. >> brian: that's right. what's the latest there? >> nichole: i just spoke with a neighbor who heard and felt the explosion, says it sounded like a bomb and his whole house shook. you can see what remains. nothing remains. you can see the scene of the explosion behind me reduced to complete rubble. the home next door -- this is a residential area. homes are situated close to each other. the home next to this home is also damaged. you can see the debris scattered on the roof into the windows, onto the garage, scattered across the street to almost the school. this is the elementary school across the street. the neighbor does know the gentleman that lived inside this home. we have no confirmation as to whether he was inside the home when the explosion happened. i have calls into the police, the fire, state fire marshal, no word yet on any injuries. columbia gas crews, though, are on the scene investigating whether gas played a factor in this

laura: yeah, colombia gas is investigating, but believes natural gas was involved in leveling the newcomerstown home. scene. >> reporter: a newcomerstown home obliterateded in natural gas explosion according to colombia gas. debris blown to the tops of trees and into the yard of the school across the street. >> it was like a bomb going off. i mean it was a very, very loud explosion. >> i thought maybe my home was hit by a car. that's how brutal the sound was. >> reporter: the body of a male victim was pulled from the scene wednesday. officials combed through the rubble looking for clues. >> you see it on the news other places. but then, when it happens couple blocks from where you live, it opens your eyes up. >> reporter: neighbors tell me the man who lived here was a nice guy, retired from the local foundry and often seen walking down the street with his dog. >> super guy. i mean, he just -- just kind of guy everybody just wants to sit down and talk to. >> that family's been here for years and years and years. we are a close knit community and like i said everybody knows everybody. >> reporter

the newcomerstown district has schools. this picture from the reporter shows how close the flames were to an elementary school. we'll continue to follow this story throughout the morning. >> the cleveland police union vows to fight the firings of six officers of a deadly high speed chase. the case made headlines around the world in 2012. 137 shots fired at a car. the unarmed suspects both killed. among the fired officer, michael breelow who was acquitted for firing the final 15 shots. the union is calling the firings politically motivated. >> there's two people promoted out of this whole thing. who are those, folks? mike mcgrath, the then police director. suspensions. rules. they filed grievances to get the appeal will go before abarbitrator. the final outcome could take months. >> new rules will be in place about fake weapons that look very real. the prosecutor's office are launching a new initiative. they're saying they are seeing more cases of young offenders using things like pellets and air guns to scare people. they w

it happened across the street from newcomerstown high school. investigators suspect something may have exploded in their home. >> many of us -- denise zarrella spent the day at the blast. >> reporter: this was the fiery scene captured on cell phone video not long after neighbors nearby said they heard an explosion. it was 9:00 in the evening. a basketball game just ended at the high school across the street. >> we just got home from the basketball game. we drove by here and live two streets down and got to the house and heard the explosion and sounded like a bomb go off across the street. later not much is left. pieces of wood and pieces of objects hang from the trees above. columbia gas confirms natural gas was involved in the explosion but they're still investigating exactly how this happened. the coroner has not formally released the name of the victim because he has to be identified by dental records. neighbors say they lost dean taylor, a nice man who lived in this area, as far as they know, his whole life. >> he was going ways and generall

on tuesday newcomerstown is rattled by a large blast a massive sky .. >> heard a loud loud explosion it sound like a bomb went off i went out on the porch and the sky was lit up like a great big >> the magnitude of the blast was evident, the explosions rattle walls 4 miles away, who saved him to get back into his home next door. >> that window was blown out, the kitchen window is blown out and the kitchen cupboards contents are on the floor the backdoor is unusable. >> there were ceiling tiles blown and in the winter school across the street the district is closing the schools on >> is scary, i pray for that guy who was in there when it happened, he was a sweet guy, he was a nice fellow. >> investigators were back there thursday, the county coroner confirming one fatality, but waiting for dental records to confirm identity, the clinic gas company searching for a cause. >> want to make sure there is a thorough investigation, people here want to know what happened. >> everything checked out fine but i, it is is still scared scary of going to go to my my boys were allowed to give minors

tuesday, newcomerstown is rattled by a large blast. >> it was terrible explosion, and it scared me to death. >> all once heard a loud explosion and it sounded like a bomb going off and i went on the porch and all i saw was the sky was lit up with a great ball of fire bigger change the magnitude of the blast was evident, the explosion rattled walls as far away away as 4 miles away, terry henry, was unable to get back into his home extort. >> that double window was blown out, my kitchen window is blown out the cupboards are indeed, they're on the floor of the back door is not usable. >> across the, and cows cows were blown from the ceiling of a middle school, the district >> manny warner senior picking up debris from around his home. >> it is scary, thought that i pray for the guy who was in there, what happened he was a sweet old guy, he was a real nice fellow. >> they were back on the scene thursday, the tuscarawas county coroner confirming one county coroner confirming one fatality, waiting waiting for dental records directors to confirm his identity, columbia gas company is helping

. >> reporter: in newcomerstown >> mark: thank you, denise. >> if you smell gas in your home do not turn on or off any battery powered items, chargeable or electrical items, garage door openers, computers, spark. do not turn on or off lights or use phones of any type. get to a south africa distance before calling for help w. that many mind dan deroos has a list of items in your home that pose the risk of ultimately blowing up. >> some items on the list were no dui and one has you thinking twice about your kitchen. i will show you that in a second. we will not stick to basics we know your gas lines. that's rare. water heaters, you probably didn't know water heaters can explode easily. they are overpressurized when it happens. your water heater should be sure it has a relief device, the relief valve if it is overpressurized. gas grill. 6,000 explosions a year and usually because the line from the tank becomes rusted. you left it out all winter. it is leaking. that's why it is supposed to be covered. here is one, my producer jim says he has to go home and rethink this. cooking flour. dust f

. >> nearly all of newcomerstown felt the explosion, and then look at video shop by a neighbor about 9:00 p.m. last night . nothing anybody could do to get to the man who live there who died with his dog, or they would see him walking daily, this is the kind of town where everybody knew everybody, spoke with his daughter and grandson who said that he was 77, his wife passed away last year . watching investigators waiting for answers, to realize that this could have been anyone other. >> i worked with the gentleman who owned the house, he was very lovable man, just a very caring man man, he had no enemies. >> state fire marshal's office has not given the information, punta-cana says they cannot play do not believe this was caused to. >> in summit county the coyote population has increased parking investigation by leaders. >> they say that multiple pets have been taken, were nearly killed by coyotes, suzanne stratford has more what is going on in summit county. >> the top hundred ohio, is now trying on pants in summit county exchange i now have to go outside armed change markowski, pro

house of worship and tuscarawas is getting started, what person then after that that explosion and newcomerstown forced the closure of schools in the district on wednesday, debris was scattered everywhere, ceiling tiles were reported down from the elementary school across the street, the person who died in the blast has not yet been identified. >> clean the place cleveland police have strict rules for pursuits, but a high-speed chase in euclid over the weekend could be the sign of a dangerous trend . >> so much of it is a judgment call but in how that sacred duty to the public but balance that versus the safety has to be considered a time anytime there is a pursuit. >> it happened when the nuke followed at safe distance, the chase chase continued on to i-90 than the suspect lost control crashed in the house and tried to run on foot but police say they encounter more things to think that the police will not chase them. >> you'd initially hear the reason for the pursuit and may seem less serious than to understand that these types of people are also involved with weapons and also drugs and arm bur

. >> and newcomerstown, tuscarawas county, nothing is left of the home beaver street, the blast horse in worsened the closing of schools in the district here is what we know. >> debris is everywhere including on the tree with this incredible blast with them within moments the night sky was lit by a huge fireball. >> on tuesday night, 8:30 p.m., debris from the house was scattered everywhere, the lines were reportedly knocked down from the elementary school across the street the tuscarawas county coroner says that the man died, they are not yet identified him, this is what the neighbors experienced. >> i was in the base working on my computer, i heard this blast and i saw debris flying past the window. >> it was scary, i went to the store and got home and then all of a sudden, it lit up out there like it was daylight,. >> family and friends, who knew the man who lived in the house, say that he lived alone in. can see some work is underway to ready to reopen beaver street. >> decor says that a possible notification may take several days, waiting on dental records . columbia gas company

morning after an apparent house explosion.people in the area say the house in the small village of newcomerstown an elementary school is near the house fire... and debris is scattered everywhere.there is no word yet on if anyone was hurt in the fire. it's a cloudy drive to work today with chilly temperatures in the mid 20s. we'll see a slight decrease in clouds this afternoon and highs only increase to the mid to low 30s. coming up, when we'll see a quick snow chance before we get into the weekend warmup. traffic with all of the new housing being developed downtown when will we see a new grocery store down there?the cincinnati metro housing authority is planning a high profile redevelopment of its old headquarters.it could be the site of a new kroger. things could get under way sometime next year and could be completed within 18 months.you can read all about it right now on wcpo.com that and a whole lot more when good morning tri-state at 4:30

. >> medical center identified the man who died when they newcomerstown house exploded, 77 dog died, it could be felt for miles away they have not pinpointed the cause of the blast but workers with columbia gas or taken part in the investigation. >> cleveland heights police officer credited with rescuing a woman who was mauled by pitbull as jack shea has here's a video from the body camera. >> moments after she is attacked was attacked by a friend's pitbull police patrolmen everett haworth tries to pull the dog the victim he then forced to shoot the dog that charges at him, he fires a second shot that kills it. >> will paramedics arrived. >> the victim was taken to the hospital and later released switch back according to the police report the same dog was attacking a child on january 13 at the rsa for keeping a vicious dog and failure to have proof of insurance. >> victim is fortunate that the officer knew what to do when the dog attacked, jack shea fox 8 news. >> we know the expression that the show must go on is the case with the latest republican presidential debate even though do

investigators are on the scene of a house explosion in newcomerstown. you see how severe this was. this morning they're there. that's about 100 miles south of cleveland in tuscarawas county. neighbors heard an explosion at this home at beaver striet around 9:00 last night. the newcomerstown school district canceled all classes for today. >>> with a look at the forecast, here's meteorologist sam roberts. sam. >> samantha: thanks so much, tia. we started off with some very light snow really early this morning out in the snowbelt. most of that has moved out, but i wouldn't rule out a few there. for most of us today, just clouds, flurries flying around. a pretty quiet day as temperatures climb up to about 31. not much of a warm-up today, but not much of a cooldown tonight. we only fall to 27. partly cloudy skies and a little >>> here is martin o'malleyff his jacket, rolling up his sleeves, loosening his tie. why would he do that? >> sometimes, public figures will just casual, all right? they make themselves -- it makes them seem more relatable or hardmetimes, they will even -- they wil

. >> and developing news, a house explosion happened on beaver street in newcomerstown. one person is dead. family members and neighbors say it's the homeowner. the house is reported to be near a school. canceled classes this morning morning. two neighboring homes were damaged. >>> six cleveland police officers were fired for the deadly 2012 chase that left two unarmed people dead. michael breelow was among those fired. he's the officer acquitted for manslaughter in his role in the shooting. the police union has filed grievances to try to get the officers their jobs back. the city has 20 days to reply. alyssa? >> reporter: good morning. we're on huron road right by the q. later this spring, a buffalo wild wings will be opening in this space, and there's a little room leftover that the owners plan to rent out. it's expected to be turned into a tapas lounge. other buildings downtown keep getting converted into apartments. the ymca and cleveland athletic club will also provide the the next wave is retail. i'm told we'll have a better idea of what big retailers are coming to

morning after an apparent house explosion.people in the area say the house in the small village of newcomerstown exploded around 9 last night. an elementary school is near the house fire... and debris is scattered everywhere.there is no word yet on if anyone was hurt in the fire. classes are cancelled today and students and staff are in mourning near indianapolis ... after a principal was killed saving the lives of several students. sure what caused a school bus to suddenly accelerate... but the driver told officers... principal susan jordan pushed several kids out of the way before she was hit.she'd been prinicipal there for 22 years... and was considered the heart of the highly rated elementary school. (regina simpson/parent): "my son has down's so she kind of connected with him and kind of understood him and always made sure he was in his class and she was just very, very caring towards me and my family." family."police say the bus had passed inspection just four days before yesterday's crash. two children are in serious but stable condition. this morning... two middletown parents accused of

morning after an apparent house explosion.people in the area say the house in the small village of newcomerstown exploded around 9 last night. an elementary school is near the house fire... and debris is scattered everywhere.there is no word yet on if anyone was hurt in the fire. classes are cancelled today and students and staff are in mourning near indianapolis ... after a principal was killed saving the lives of several students. students.police still aren't sure what caused a school bus to suddenly accelerate... but the driver told officers... principal susan jordan pushed several kids out of the way before she was hit.she'd been prinicipal there for 22 years... and was considered the heart of the highly rated elementary school. (regina simpson/parent): "my son has down's so she kind of connected with him and kind of understood him and always made sure he was in his class and towards me and my family." family." police say the bus had passed inspection just four days before yesterday's crash.two children are in serious but stable condition. this morning... two middletown parents accused of le

dan: state fire investigators still working to find the exact cause of the deadly explosion in newcomerstown in tuscarawas county. today the coroner did confirm. the victim was 77-year-old dean taylor. he was inside his beaver street home when it exploded tuesday night. it is expected natural gas has something to do with this explosion. >>> the cause of the explosion and house fire that tore through three cleveland homes last february, that was quickly clear what happened. >> denise: that's right. it was arson. in fact, arson for hire. paul orlousky found that despicable act left one victim devastated. >> reporter: so often we see smoke and flames on the screen. rarely is it arson and more rarely do we see the real damage. want the bricks and mortar, the human damage. >> i can't put a price on this. >> reporter: suzanne board senn suffering that damage mental and she was wheelchair bound when the house exploded. >> my hair was on fire. i am still bald in areas and the hair has not grown back. >> reporter: she was in a coma and in the hospital. she got out but her cats, a bird and dog didn't.

this happened in newcomerstown around 9:00 last night. family members have not been able to reach the man who lives inside the home. reports are the corner has been called to the scene. lisa: donald trump says he is giving thomas republican debate. trump is not happy that megyn kelly serve as moderator list of foxx is refusing to change its line up and says donald trump is still welcome. mark: let' s see what is coming our way today. randi: today, any 30' s. starting out with to voters generally in the 20' s. by lunchtime, 33. 4:00, 35. a mix of sun and clouds. 36 today is the coldest tight temperature we will see for the next week. thursday and friday, in the 40' s. saturday and sunday, into the 50' s. early next week, upper 50' the warm air monday and tuesday of next week, maybe even some groundhog day thunderstorms. maybe some rain on tuesday. kyla: this is 237 and the accident sits between gateway and wright boulevard. you will instead -- i' m recommending take limaberg which it sits east of there, northbound and southbound, to get ar

it happened in newcomerstown 100 miles of cleveland, leveled the house sending debris all over the neighborhood including a nearby school. to be safe officials closed that school today. local gas crews responding to the scene now, the cause of the explosion hasn't been determined. >>> donald trump is shaking up the republican presidential race again. >> the billionaire says he will boycott tomorrow's gop debate due to his feud with fox newschannel. trump says moderator megyn kelly targeted him unfairly on the previous debate last fall. he blasted fox news for "playing games" instead will hold a rally in iowa for wound vets. kelly shot back at trump saying -- trump can't control the media and the debate goes on with or without him. >>> ted cruz wants a one-on-one debate with trump. he said if someone didn't show up for a meeting trump would say you're fired, that's what he wants iowa voters to do. fire 2ru6r7 from the presidential race. fire trump. >> on the democratic side vermont senator bernie sanders is set to have his first extended meeting with president obama today since announcing his pr

we're told the explosion happened around 9 last night in newcomerstown, ohio. officers just confirmed this morning a man believed to be the homeowner was found dead inside. the newcomerstown school district has canceled classes for schools near the explosion site today. after a more than 3 year investigation, the cleveland police department has fired six officers involved in a 137-shot barrage of gunfire that killed two unarmed people after a high speed chase. the incident happened back in november of 2012, when a total of 13 officers say they mistook a car for gunfire. one officer, michael brelo, was already acquitted of manslaughter charges in connection to the case this past may, and was among the six fired tuesday. six more have been suspended for varying roles in the incident. officials say the investigation took so long to complete in part because of the difficulty of retracing each and every shot back to the officer who fired it. investigators are releasing a new theory on what may have caused a deadly railroad crash in philadelphia last may. they say th

the newcomerstown school district cancelled classes for today. much of the northeast is back to normal after last weekend's record setting blizzard, but some cities are still struggling to dig out. that's why cleanup crews from connecticut are going to d-c and maryland to help with removing the snow. even with the warm-up in temperatures, some streets in those areas are still covered two feet of it fell. ( weather anim - with track) rest of today: mostly cloudy with decreasing showers. temps will hover in the low/mid 40s through the afternoon. winds north 10-15mph. tonight: mostly cloudy. lows will be in the low 30s. winds north 5-10mph. thursday: mostly cloudy. scattered showers over northeast north carolina and the outer banks. a few showers possible for hampton roads. highs will be in the mid 40s. winds north 5- 10mph. a cold front is moving through the area. temps have fallen from the mid scattered showers will decrease through the mid afternoon. we will dry as the front stalls out offshore. some clouds will remain. tomorrow an area of low pr

classes are cancelled in newcomerstown, ohio, this morning after a house explodes in the area late last night. the sheriff' s department says in happened around 9:00 last night. people claiming to be family say they believe a man was inside the home at the time of the explosion. you see the flames. officials are still investigating the cause of the explosion and whether anyone else was inside the home. mark: new information on a deadly shooting in westwood. wlwt news 5' s dan griffin is live at the scene with what we know about the investigation. dan? the motive for the shooting still a mystery this morning. what we do know -- a man was shot and killed in the parking lot here. police say the shooting happened just after 10:00 last night here at the western hills apartment complex in westwood. the victim was 27 years old and was found in the parking lot here in the 2600 block of montana avenue. there was quite a police response, including the homicide unit. when police arrived, they tell us they found the man dead. we are working to get more information about the shooting, including the

you can see the flames devouring the house in newcomerstown. they believe the family that lived there survived that explosion but crews still trying to find the homeowners. schools are closed while crews make sure the area surrounding it is safe. >>> a massive fire in downtown new orleans a couple hours ago gutting a four story building. it was so huge crews had to call for backup six times but were able to keep it from spreading to nearby buildings. right now the french quarter is shut down and no one was hurt and cause under investigation. >>> new details on news we brought last night. one person has died and -- two people dead and three hurt. a second victim died after being taken to the hospital. they said that incident was not random. seattle's mayor has been under pressure recently to deal with the homeless problem in this city. >>> it just got easier to do business in cuba because new relaxed federal regulations take effect today and cuba's state run companies. u.s. citizens are set to organize events in research conferences and travel e

fire that destroyed a house in eastern ohio.crews were seen removing a body from the house in newcomerstown early this morning. of the victim said the man lived alone with his dog. neighboring homes were also damaged.and the school district superintendent said there's a debris field at a nearby elementary school, from the playground to the softball field.all schools in the district are closed today.a neighbor said the explosion was a rude awakening. (jim ludwig/ neighbor) i thought something had hit my house, or my house, my house actually shook, of course i was coming out of a dead sleep. columbia gas of ohio said it believes natural gas was involved, but there's no indication right now the utility is at fault.the utility said it will continue to work with investigators. it's a story we've been monitoring all day...the fed announcing this afternoon... it is *not raising the interest rate again for now. the decision comes after two days of meetings.we told you here on the now last month the fed raised the rate by a quarter point for the first time in years.even though there's no additional