Bodycam video: First responders rush to scene of Richland County house explosion

CRESTLINE, Ohio (WJW) – Video obtained by FOX 8 shows what first responders encountered on Friday, when they rushed to the scene of a devastating house explosion that claimed the life of one person and left two others injured.

The body camera video from a deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office shows a large debris field created by the blast and smoke and flames still billowing out of the basement of the pulverized home.

The video also confirms why authorities consider the survival of one of the victims a miracle.

“Walking up to that, I never would have guessed that anybody would have made it out alive,” said Springfield Township Fire Chief Adam Spellman.

Firefighters and deputies arriving at the scene first discovered that one of the homeowners, 65-year-old Dolores Au, was injured but was spared the full force of the blast because she was outside the home walking the family dog.

Her 66-year-old husband was even more fortunate because he was at a doctor’s appointment when the explosion ignited.

But firefighters surveying the damage soon got the troubling news that there were two people in the basement of the home that was filled with debris and still on fire.

“After seeing that, you know, I was really taken aback when they said there were two people in the basement. That they were unaccounted for and that they were currently searching for both the victim,” said Chief Spellman.

Authorities discovered that the two people in the basement were a husband-and-wife team who run an environmental clean-up business.

Troy and Krista Cramer were doing an inspection at the home on Friday after the owners complained about possible mold in their basement.

Tragically, the body of 47-year-old Krista Cramer was found under the rubble in the basement.

“It was a shock and it’s unfortunate obviously that you’re there trying to help somebody and then a situation like that happens and you’re caught in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Chief Spellman

Incredibly, firefighters reported hearing cries for help from under the debris in the basement from Krista’s husband, 53-year-old Troy Cramer.

“Amazed that somebody had lived through that and, you know, walking up to it, nobody would have expect any survivors from seeing the aftermath of the explosion,” Chief Spellman said. “But fortunately, somebody was making some noise so we were able to locate where they were at by following the sound and then we just began the effort of digging out of one the debris.”

Investigators say the life of Troy Cramer, who is also a colonel in the Ohio Air National Guard, was spared, due in part to a chair that landed on his upper body and partially shielded him from the flames and falling debris.

“I think he should be very grateful for that. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for his wife, but somebody was obviously looking out for him and had that chair land there at the right place where he was at,” said Chief Spellman.

Troy Cramer was flown by medical helicopter to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, where he is listed in serious condition in the burn unit.

The state fire marshal’s office is now searching for the cause of the explosion. One focus of the investigation is on the possibility that the blast was triggered by a leak in a line that supplies propane to the house.

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