A father’s final moments before a devastating explosion claimed his life and the lives of his two young daughters have been revealed in heart-wrenching detail. The man, identified by authorities as 42-year-old Daniel Reeves, managed to make one last phone call to his wife from inside the family’s home — moments before the blast tore through the property, leaving nothing but rubble. According to investigators, the explosion occurred late Tuesday night in a quiet suburban neighborhood in southern Ohio. Witnesses reported hearing a deafening boom, followed by flames shooting into the sky.
Neighbors rushed outside to find the Reeves’ house engulfed in fire, with debris scattered across multiple backyards. What makes the tragedy even more haunting is that Daniel was on the phone with his wife, Sarah, when the explosion happened. She had been out running errands and later told CBS News that her husband’s voice was trembling as he described smelling gas and hearing a strange hissing sound.
Sarah Reeves says her husband’s last words to her were, “Something’s wrong… I think it’s the gas line.” Seconds later, the phone went silent. #OhioExplosion— Midwestern News (@MidwesternNews) August 8, 2025
Authorities believe a natural gas leak may have caused the blast, but a full investigation is underway. The National Fire Protection Association says such leaks can be catastrophic if undetected, and early reports indicate that utility crews had been working in the area earlier that day. Neighbors who knew the family described them as inseparable. “They were always outside playing together,” one resident told USA Today. “To think of those girls in that house when it happened — it’s unbearable.”
We could feel the shockwave two streets away. Everyone came running, but there was nothing we could do. #OhioBlast— Justin Meyers (@JustinMeyersOH) August 8, 2025
Sarah is now surrounded by family as she processes the unimaginable loss. Friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral expenses and temporary housing, as the Reeves’ home was completely destroyed. Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the local fire marshal’s office are combing through the debris for clues. Early findings suggest that the ignition source may have been an appliance in the kitchen, though officials say it’s too soon to make a definitive conclusion.
Gas leaks kill more people than most realize. This Ohio tragedy is a reminder to take every smell seriously. #GasSafety— Safety Watch (@SafetyWatchUSA) August 8, 2025
The community has begun leaving flowers, candles, and stuffed animals at the site where the Reeves’ home once stood. One child placed a drawing of a family holding hands, with the words “Forever Together” written in bright crayon at the bottom. Local officials have urged residents to remain vigilant about potential gas leaks, emphasizing the importance of immediately contacting emergency services if they detect the odor of natural gas.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration recommends evacuating immediately rather than trying to locate the source. For Sarah, the last phone call with her husband will forever be etched in her memory — the sound of his fear, the love in his voice, and the sudden, horrifying silence that followed.