Numerous reports of explosions heard around Salem Township and Leetonia are still a mystery.

Salem Township Police Chief Dan Valentine says reports of loud explosions started more than a month ago.


"The first ones came in about five weeks ago then they were coming in about every two to two and a half weeks," Valentine said.

Valentine says all of the reports have been similar in description.

"Every call that's come in has come in after dark, between 8:00 and 10:00 at night, and every person that has called in said the exact same thing, that it sounds as if a stick of dynamite went off in their back yard or their neighbors property and it's rattled the windows and rattled dishes that they had sitting on the counter," Valentine said.

Adding to the mystery is how widespread the reports have been, miles apart and not in a concentrated area.

Authorities thought it might be related in some way to all of the new drilling activity, but no driller or contractor has come forward with an explanation.

"They said that is similar to a seismic charge, but they would not be doing that late at night," Valentine said.

Leetonia police and fire have also received calls about the explosions and authorities are hoping that residents can help them pinpoint the location of the blasts.

"We definitely want them to let us now when they hear this going on so Chief Valentine and myself can look into it and figure out what's going on here," said Leetonia Police Chief John Soldano.