BETHEL, Ohio – Two people were killed after a Bethel home exploded Tuesday morning, according to Bethel-Tate Fire Chief Christopher Cooper.

Cooper said crews were dispatched to the home on Joy Vic Drive around 8:44 a.m. Tuesday morning. The home was heavily damaged and still actively burning when WCPO crews arrived.

Cooper said the explosion was so strong it sent debris through the neighborhood and caused minor damage to nearby homes.

A third person was taken to hospital with burns, but Cooper said he had no update on that person’s condition.

Neighbors near the house said at least part of the house exploded, creating a noise so loud it woke them up.

WATCH: Video of the moment of the explosion in the player below.

Doorbell camera captures the moment a house explodes in Ohio

“Around 9 a.m. I was sleeping and woke up to a huge explosion,” said Derrick Gullett, a neighbor who lives nearby. “I fell out of bed, came outside and saw a gentleman running from the residence who was currently working in the residence. It’s shocking. His hair was still on fire when he was gone.”

Gullett said the man told him he had been working on the home’s furnace inside when it “suddenly blew up and exploded.”

He said the couple who lived in the house were sweet, sweet people with several cats.

WCPO

Cooper also reported that there were several cats in the home and surrounding area when crews arrived. Firefighters were able to get the flames under control within 45 minutes of arriving, but Cooper said officials will likely be on scene for most of the day.

The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing and being conducted by the State Fire Marshal’s office, Cooper said.