A large brush fire broke out near Wayne National Forest Monday evening affecting several acres, said Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks.
The fire was reported around 5 p.m. near Newells Run Road and Porter Run Road in Newport Township, he said.
"A call came in from a hunter out there in a deer stand who could see the flames leaping up," said Mincks.
The hunter reported flames running parallel to the ground, leading officials to believe the fire was caused by a gas line explosion.
"There are lots of small wells in that area that supply individual homes with gas," Mincks said.
It is uncertain if the problem affected the gas supply of any of the surrounding homes. The blaze did not reach any structures. However, a resident at 3969 Newells Run Road reported at 7:40 p.m. that the flames were nearing her property.
Little Muskingum, Newport, Reno, and St. Marys fire departments responded on the fire run. As of 9 p.m., officials had contained the fire and no injuries were reported, he said.
The fire broke out at the intersection of four farms and Wayne National Forest. It is not clear how many properties were affected, said Mincks.
