Authorities say an explosion at an Ohio apartment complex that sent three people to hospitals over the weekend is believed to have been caused by a gas explosion.

Emergency crews in Springfield were called to the Ridgewood Court Townhomes at about 1 p.m. Saturday after the blast. Officials said three people were transported from the scene in multiple medical helicopters; there was no immediate word on their conditions.

Brian Miller, chief of the Springfield Fire Rescue Division, told the Springfield News-Sun that crews had already been dispatched to investigate a reported natural gas leak and were nearby when the explosion occurred. He said the blast sent a large column of smoke rising from the structure that many people in the city might have seen.

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Fire crews extinguished flames on two victims in the front yard of the structure and went into the building to rescue a baby, Miller said. The building will likely be torn down, he said. The Red Cross is expected to aid displaced residents, officials said.

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An explosion at an apartment complex in Ohio was allegedly caused by a gas leak. Three people were injured in the explosion.

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About 2 1/2 weeks ago, three construction workers were injured in an explosion after a propane tank was damaged during work on a building about a half-mile from Saturday's blast.