COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Division of Police and Columbus Division of Fire are on the scene of a house explosion in east Columbus.

It happened around 8:15 a.m. in the 400 block of North 20th Street.

Fire crews on scene told 10TV two people, a man and a woman, were taken to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in critical condition suffering from burns and fractures.

The woman has been identified as 36-year-old Vernice D. Hill. The man has yet to be identified.

Columbia Gas has been notified and firefighters are working to shut the gas off.

Investigators are on the scene working to determine the cause of the fire. A preliminary investigation determined that a gas leak involving scrappers taking metal from the house caused the explosion.

"The two destroyed units were vacated a week ago to prepare for renovations and residents relocated as part of our remodeling process," Charles Hillman, President and CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, said. "Vacated units in a separate, adjacent building also suffered some damage as well. The units were locked, and our property management team has been on site since the units were vacated