A home near Columbus, Ohio, exploded Saturday afternoon, leveling the house and damaging seven to nine nearby buildings, The Associated Press reports.

Natural gas likely caused the Upper Arlington blast, fire officials told the AP. Mail carrier Tim Nelson told the Columbus Dispatch that he noticed a strange odor in the area before noon.

“You smell gas daily. But that was strong,” said Nelson, who told a resident to contact the gas company.

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The home went up in smoke about three hours later.

According to the Dispatch, the home's owners, Hidefumi and Mariko Ishida, were away on a trip to Japan.

“They are planning on coming back,” said friend Isao Shoji. “Their church family will be here for them. They are a couple of strong faith.”

Click here to read the full story, or scroll down to see photos and videos from the scene.