‘Knowingly lit natural gas’: Arrest made in East Price Hill explosion, fire officials say

CINCINNATI (WXIX) — A man was arrested Tuesday in connection with a building explosion that took place in East Price Hill.

Shawn Kidder, 64, is being charged with five counts of aggravated arson to a person and one count of aggravated arson to a building, according to the Cincinnati Fire Investigation Unit.

“Kidder was a resident of the property and knowingly lit natural gas, causing the subsequent fire event,” fire investigators said.

The explosion, followed by flames, happened in the 700 block of Elberon Avenue around 8:12 p.m. March 9.

Forty-four firefighters arrived to the scene where they found a four-family home covered in heavy flames and missing an exterior wall that collapsed.

Four people were taken to the hospital — two adults and two children, the Cincinnati Fire Department previously reported. One victim was found laying in the front yard.

Both children sustained minor injuries, while one of the adults sustained serious injuries.

Firefighters also extinguished fire in an adjacent, vacant building.

According to FOX19 NOW’s previous coverage, firefighters said there were no smoke detectors inside the home.

Cincinnati fire updated the number of people displaced from five to six Tuesday.

The estimated total damages amount to $300,000.

The building was demolished due to its lack of structural stability.

“While fires like these are always a tragic loss, the CFD FIU continues to do an outstanding job bringing justice to those who negatively impact our community,” said Fire Chief Frank McKinley.

Kidder remains in the hospital.

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