Historic Columbus museum could be ‘a total loss’ after devastating fire

A catastrophic fire occurred yesterday on Columbus’ East Side.

Kelton House, a historic museum and wedding venue with ties to the Underground Railroad in the Discovery District, experienced a gas leak yesterday (Monday, Nov. 3) around 2:30 p.m.

According to Columbus Division of Fire, firefighters were on the scene, but while entering the museum, an explosion occurred in the back room. No injuries were reported, but flames spread to the attic, and the windows were blown out during the explosion.

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It’s still unclear what led to the initial gas leak, but it has been traced back to a supply line that was smelling of natural gas.

Kelton House is now closed, and it could be permanently damaged, as Columbus Division of Fire said there was significant damage, and the historic home could be “a total loss.”

The museum posted on their social media, “At this time, the Kelton House Museum & Garden will remain closed until further notice as we assess the extent of the damage and next steps. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this devastating event for our community and the Junior League of Columbus. We will have more information soon on how you can help support recovery efforts.”

Mayor Ginther released a statement: “I’m relieved that no one was injured at the Kelton House today, and grateful to the men and women of Columbus Fire for containing the incident while preserving as much history as possible. The Kelton House is an important part of our city’s history as a stop on the Underground Railroad and remains an educational resource to our community.”

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