Archive · 4 Nov 2025
Historic Kelton House Museum Damaged by Fire After Gas Leak
A big fire started at a very old house in Columbus that is now a museum.
People first smelled a lot of gas, like from a stove, coming from a pipe near the museum.
Soon after, a loud noise was heard and the ground shook.
Then, smoke and flames were seen coming from the roof of the museum.
Lots of firefighters and people from the gas and electric companies came to help.
The museum is important because it's a historic building from the 1800s and tells the story of the Kelton family and how they helped people escape slavery a long time ago.
A significant fire occurred at the historic Kelton House Museum & Garden in downtown Columbus on Monday afternoon.
The fire began shortly after reports of a strong natural gas odor from a supply line near the museum.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud boom and feeling their building shake before the fire erupted.
The Kelton House Museum is a 19th-century landmark known for its historical significance, including its connection to the Underground Railroad.
More than a dozen fire units, along with utility crews from Columbia Gas and AEP, responded to the emergency.
- Who
- Kelton House Museum & Garden, emergency responders, Columbus Police, Columbia Gas, AEP
- What
- A large fire broke out at the historic museum.
- When
- Monday afternoon, around 2:33 PM
- Where
- Downtown Columbus, Ohio, at the Kelton House Museum & Garden
- Why
- Following reports of a natural gas leak
- Location
- Kelton House Museum & Garden, Columbus, Ohio
- Date
- Monday afternoon
- Time of Call
- Approximately 2:33 PM
- Reported Cause
- Natural gas leak
- Emergency Response
- Over a dozen fire units, Columbia Gas, AEP