MEDINA – An 18-year-old man died after an explosion rocked his family’s Springbrook Drive apartment building early Feb. 9.

Medina Fire Department responded to a call of an explosion at 451 Springbrook Drive around 3:15 a.m. The explosion was centered in a ground-level unit on the southwest side of the building where a mother, son and father resided, according to the Medina Fire Department.

Jacob Drake, who had cerebral palsy, was bedridden and his mother and father Sheila and Bob Drake went back into the apartment to try and save him, according Medina Fire Chief Bob Painter. Jacob Drake was declared dead at the scene. The parents were both transported to MetroHealth Medical Center with extensive burn injuries.

“I heard them screaming,” said resident Matthew Hodar, who was in his upstairs apartment when he heard a loud boom while asleep on his couch.

Upon hearing the explosion, he immediately ran outside, but then ran back in to save his two cats and retrieve possessions. He was able to get one of the cats, but had to leave due to the smoke being too overwhelming.

“It’s all right. I’m alive,” Hodar said about losing his home. “I didn’t think I was going to make it.”

The southwest side of the building was completely destroyed, while the other parts remained intact, but were heavily damaged. Authorities report about 20 people lived in the building in eight units, four on the ground floor and four on the second floor.

None of the surrounding buildings suffered heavy damage, but pieces of debris, including screens and blinds, were seen on a nearby tree.

The noise from the explosion could be heard from other buildings, with several people coming out with blankets for him and his neighbors, Hodar said.

Firefighters were finishing up at the scene around 10 a.m. as an excavation crew, representatives from the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Medina Police detectives and Columbia Gas continued their investigation.

Hodar said he recalled a crew was doing plumbing work in his building recently and wondered if the work was related to the explosion.

The unit, part of the Medina Village apartment complex, is nearby to Medina Village Retirement Community and separated by a driveway. While the smoke from the explosion set off a smoke alarm, the facility was not evacuated, Painter said.

The fact the apartment building was solidly constructed with block walls and a concrete-poured floor made it easier for firefighters to work the fire, he said.

Bill Loomer, communications and community relations manager for Columbia Gas, said in a Feb. 9 statement Columbia crews conducted a thorough investigation of the natural gas main and service lines that serve the area and confirmed that they are safe.

“We will continue to support authorities investigating the incident as they complete their investigation,” Loomer said.

The identity of the dead man was not released right away due to difficulties reaching his next of kin, said Medina County Coroner Dr. Lisa Deranek.

Painter said the Medina Township and Sharon Township fire departments also responded to the scene.

The Medina United Church of Christ, Congregational had conducted a clothing drive for the victims but was discontinued Feb. 11 due to overwhelming response, according to a statement from Medina UCCC and St. Francis Church. Some donations include one local business owner who dropped off $1,000 in gift cards for the families. Two Men and a Truck in Brunswick donated its services and delivered more than 150 boxes and bags of items Feb. 10 to the Medina Village apartments, where donations filled a vacant apartment reserved for showing prospective tenants. The apartment managers will oversee distribution of the items to the families.

Financial contributions may be made to the Medina Village Fire Victims Fund established at FirstMerit bank. Money and gift cards are also being accepted by the St. Vincent de Paul Society and delivered c/o St. Francis Xavier Parish, 606 E. Washington St., Medina, OH, 44256. Include a note that donations are for the Medina Village fire victims.

A Gofundme page has also been set up for the Drake family at https://www.gofundme.com/med-funeral-costs-for-drake-fam. So far, about $7,000 has been raised.

The Royal Order of the Moose, 136 S. Elmwood Ave., Medina, will hold a fundraiser Feb. 25 from 6 p.m. to midnight. There will be a $20 charge at the door. The program will include live music, a cash bar, door prizes, a 50/50 drawing and food. All proceeds will be donated to fire victims.

For information, call Nick Veverka at 330-321-2791 or the lodge at 330-725-7510.