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Sheriff: Wife killed, husband injured in Fayette County home explosion

Sheriff Vernon Stanforth said numerous people called in as neighbors saw a fireball from the explosion.

FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO, Ohio — A 70-year-old woman was killed and her husband was seriously hurt in a home explosion Saturday morning in Fayette County, according to the sheriff's office.

The incident happened in the 1900 block of Good Hope-New Holland Road SE in New Holland around 7:30 a.m.

Sheriff Vernon Stanforth said numerous people called in as neighbors "saw a fireball."

Patricia Miller and her husband were inside the home at the time of the explosion. 

The sheriff confirmed Miller was found inside the debris and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband was flown by a medical helicopter to a Columbus hospital in critical condition. 

No other injuries were reported.

Cody Kirkpatrick, a neighbor of the couple since 1998, said he had left for work when his wife called him about the explosion. He said he saw heavy smoke as he was heading back home moments after the phone call.

"They are very good people," he said. "My thoughts and prayers go out to them."

Robert Rutherford knew the couple for about 27 years. He heard about the explosion from a friend and texted the husband to make sure he was alright. 

"I texted him, making sure he was OK and I didn't hear from him for about an hour," Rutherford said. 

"I initially thought he was helping somebody. I never would've thought that would've been his house."

The Division of the State Fire Marshal is investigating the incident and looking for the cause of the explosion.

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