The incident unfolded around 2:30 p.m. at the museum, located in the Discovery District on East Town Street. According to Assistant Fire Chief Mike Seacrest, fire crews initially responded to reports of a strong smell of natural gas emanating from the property.
“Shortly after our crews entered the building, there was a significant detection of gas, and then the explosion occurred,” Chief Seacrest told reporters at the scene. He confirmed that the blast originated in an events space at the rear of the property, with initial damage assessments indicating that several structures behind the main 19th-century home were “completely leveled.”
The force of the explosion blew out most of the main house’s windows and quickly spread flames to the historic attic. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, visible for miles across the downtown skyline, but the combination of fire and water damage has made salvaging the structure unlikely.
No Injuries Reported Despite Mayday Call
In a miraculous outcome given the scale of the destruction, no injuries to civilians or first responders were reported. A brief “mayday” call was issued by firefighters inside the structure immediately after the explosion, but all personnel were confirmed safe soon after.
Area residents reported hearing multiple loud booms and feeling their adjacent buildings shake. David Spence, who lives next door in the Townley Court apartments, described hearing three muffled, successive blasts: “It was huge. The historical relevance of this building is enormous, and now it’s just shattered.”
The Kelton House, built in 1852 by Fernando Kelton, was famously a stop on the Underground Railroad and housed countless Kelton family heirlooms, many of which are believed to have been lost in the fire.
Investigation and Community Impact
Utility crews from Columbia Gas and AEP responded immediately to the scene, working to dig up the supply line and isolate the leak. Officials confirmed the gas leak was contained and posed no further threat to the surrounding neighborhood.
Police temporarily blocked traffic on East Town Street as crews worked, and surrounding businesses and residences were evacuated as a precaution due to the pervasive smell of gas.
The Junior League of Columbus, which has operated the Kelton House as a museum since 1979, faces an uncertain future. The loss represents not just a blow to the city’s architectural heritage but also the destruction of a significant educational center. A full investigation into what caused the supply line failure is ongoing.