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Authorities: House Explosion Probed as Possible Hate Crime
By: Associated Press
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STERLING, Ohio (AP) – Authorities say a house explosion in Ohio is being investigated as a possible hate crime after racial slurs and a swastika were found spray painted on the home’s garage and neighboring property.
The Akron Beacon Journal reports Sterling firefighters responded to the explosion in Milton Township in northeastern Ohio’s Wayne County around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Authorities say the house was reduced to rubble. No injuries were reported.
Deputies said the homeowners were staying elsewhere while the house was being repaired from an electrical fire last month.
Homeowner Angela Frase, who is black, says she and her husband, who is white, have lived at the home since 1997 and hadn’t experienced any racial prejudice in the area.
The FBI and state fire marshal investigators have been called to help investigate.