NEWPORT - A large brush fire broke out near Wayne National Forest Monday evening affecting several acres of land, said Sheriff Larry Mincks of the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
The fire was reported around 5 p.m. near Newells Run Road and Porter Run Road, he said.
"A call came in from a hunter out there in a deer stand who could see the flames leaping up," said Mincks.
The hunter reported flames running parallel along the ground, leading officials to believe the fire was caused by an gas line explosion.
"There are lots of small wells in that area that supply individual homes with gas," said Mincks.
It is uncertain if the explosion affected the gas supply of any of the surrounding homes, and the blaze did not reach any structures. However, a resident at 3969 Newells Run Road reported at 7:40 p.m. that the flames were nearing her property.
Little Muskingum, Newport, Reno and St. Marys volunteer fire departments responded. As of 9 p.m., officials had contained the fire and no injuries were reported, he said.
The fire broke out at the intersection of four farms and Wayne National Forest. It is not clear how many properties were affected, said Mincks.
