Explosion on Porch Rattles Austintown Neighborhood

Homeowner describes violent blast that damaged windows and furniture

Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:48pm

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An explosion occurred on the porch of a home in Austintown, Ohio on Wednesday night, with neighbors reporting a loud sound and bright white light. Surveillance footage shows people approaching the home, placing something on the porch, and throwing an object that ignited moments before the blast. The homeowner, Ron Rhoades, heard the explosion and found his porch damaged, with windows smashed and chairs blown off. Authorities are investigating the incident and gathering evidence, though it's unclear if this was a targeted attack or a random prank.

Why it matters

Explosions and property damage in residential neighborhoods raise serious public safety concerns, especially if they are part of a pattern of targeted attacks. The Austintown community will be on edge until the perpetrators are identified and the motive is determined.

The details

According to the Austintown Fire Department, the explosion caused minimal damage and no injuries. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage that shows people approaching the home, placing something on the porch, and throwing an object that ignited moments before the blast. The fire department is working with police to gather evidence and identify the individuals involved, though it's unclear if this was a targeted incident or a random prank.

  • The explosion occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2026.

The players

Ron Rhoades

The homeowner who heard the explosion and found his porch damaged, with windows smashed and chairs blown off.

John Ragan

A lieutenant and investigator at the Austintown Fire Department who is leading the investigation into the explosion.

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What they’re saying

“I went up on the porch, noticed the windows were smashed, the smell of gunpowder. There's a hole in the floor where the explosive exploded. It blew the chairs off the porch. It's quite violent, but smashed out some very old windows.”

— Ron Rhoades, Homeowner

“We know that something was set on the porch, and something was thrown to the porch that ignited. It did not cause very much damage. The explosion was minimal.”

— John Ragan, Lieutenant and Investigator, Austintown Fire Department

What’s next

The Austintown Fire Department and police are continuing to investigate the incident, including reviewing surveillance footage to identify the individuals involved. They plan to send evidence to the State Fire Marshal's office for further analysis.

The takeaway

This explosion, while causing minimal physical damage, has shaken the Austintown community and raised concerns about public safety. Authorities are working diligently to determine the motive and identify the perpetrators, in order to reassure residents and prevent any similar incidents from occurring in the future.