An explosion at Jimbo’s Auto Repair in Hillsboro, Ohio resulted in the deaths of three people and left one person injured. The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
Around 4 p.m., a blast ripped through the auto repair shop located at 502 S. High Street. The impact was powerful enough to be felt several blocks away, shaking nearby buildings and rattling residents.
Emergency services, including over eight local fire departments, responded to the scene to battle the blaze. Despite their efforts, the fire caused extensive damage to the shop and resulted in the loss of three lives.
The victims include Cameron Boatman, who had just celebrated his 19th birthday, shop employee Tim Furbee, and David Beaver, brother-in-law of James “Jimbo” Chambers, owner of the shop. Chambers’ mother, who worked in the office, was injured in the explosion.
David Manning, Chief of Paint Creek Joint EMS & Fire District, confirmed that no surrounding structures were damaged in the explosion. However, the intensity of the blast was significant enough to be noticed at the firehouse, located about four to five blocks from the site.
Eyewitness accounts describe the scene as chaotic, with nearby residents and workers expressing shock and concern. One witness, working at a nearby liquor store, likened the explosion to an “earthquake,” recounting the events unfolding rapidly following the initial blast.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the incident.
