PORT CLINTON — Two people were injured today after a house exploded near Port Clinton, but they are expected to survive their injuries, authorities said.

In all, four people were involved in the explosion. The incident happened at 8:46 a.m. in the 2600 block of East Harbor Road near state routes 163 and 53.

Jayson Hale, deputy sheriff of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, said he reported to the scene on East Harbor Road after the sheriff's office received a report of the explosion.

An Ottawa County Sheriff's office dispatcher reported two addresses of 2643 and 2641 E. Harbor Road where the incident took place, but could not provide a direct address for the two residences.

An explosion from the house caused the residence next door to catch fire.

Upon his arrival, he said a married couple, roughly 60 years of age, was in one house who were pulled out of the debris by officer Mike Woods of Catawba Police Department and officer Corbin Carpenter of Port Clinton Police Department — both who had already received reports of the incident.

Another man and woman, who were in the residence that caught fire, were able to exit the house.

Hale said witnesses told him people in the area could smell gas for a few days before the explosion. He added the residence that exploded had a blue propane gas tank attached to the back of the residence.

"When they went to light it today it went up," Mr. Hale said.

He said two of the victims were taken to Magruder Hospital in Port Clinton and the other two from the residence that exploded were taken to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo.

Dolores Grimm, of 2653 E. Harbor St., who has lived at the residence for 40 years, said she's never experienced anything like the explosion on her block.

"It's terrifying because we all have propane gas down through here," Ms. Grimm said. "That's a worry, but we always have ours checked in the fall and in the spring."

Stacie Hanthorn, of 2651 E. Harbor Rd. who has lived in the residence for 13 years, said the explosion woke her up this morning.

"It literally felt like my house came up and slammed back down, everything was knocked off my walls," Ms. Hanthorn said, adding she also uses propane gas. "It makes me want to have them come in and check all of our lines to make sure it doesn't happen. It's scary."

Even a mechanic worker of Drew's Custom Carts in Port Clinton, Jayson Sijan, ran to the scene.

Mr. Sijan said he was getting ready for the morning at the shop, heard a "phenomenal boom" and items fell off the walls and windows broke.

"I ran right out of the building as soon as I heard it," Mr. Sijan said, adding he was trying to call 9-1-1. He said within a matter of five minutes he noticed the second house caught on fire.

"It was definitely noticeable in the area," he said.

Me. Hale said the state fire marshal — who could not be reached while at the scene —  is investigating.

Also assisting on scene included Port Clinton Police Department, Danberry Township Fire Department and Catawba Fire Department.

First Published October 14, 2016, 2:07 p.m.