Councilman Richard Starr Issues Statement on Rainbow Terrace Investigation

Sep 22, 2026

CLEVELAND, OHIO—At last night's Cleveland City Council meeting, Ms. Kyanna Bell delivered an impassioned public statement about the injuries and lingering effects on her family from the June 23, 2025, Rainbow Terrance Apartment explosion and fire, and, after 15 months of waiting, begged for a final answer about what happened.

Today, September 22, 2206, in response to Ms. Bell's statement, Cleveland City Councilman Richard Starr, whose ward includes Rainbow Terrace, issued the following statement:

"Can you imagine having your life literally blown up around you? Your home gone, your kids injured, and a person dead? 

It’s been almost 16 months since the Rainbow Terrace Apartment explosion, and it may have slipped people’s minds. But former Rainbow Terrace residents like Keyana Bell live with it every day. 

Then imagine not hearing any answers from the city, the police, the fire department—no one—for all that time. Having to wonder what happened and why, while every question is answered with “We can’t share any information because of an ongoing investigation.” 

Leaving these families in the dark is unconscionable and inhumane. 

It also puts their lives on hold. These are not wealthy people. So much of what they had has been destroyed, and they’re struggling. Without knowing what happened, they don’t have a path forward. 

The victims of this explosion are being left to guess whether there is an actual ongoing investigation or they’re being stonewalled. They have every right to be angry, and I’m right there with them. We are a better city than this. 

If there isn’t a criminal investigation, or progress has stalled, the administration should be ashamed of itself for not updating the victims like Ms. Bell. Good government should default to being transparent and must justify keeping information secret, not the other way around.  

If there is an ongoing investigation into criminal activity, NO ONE wants to interfere with bringing the people who caused tragedy to justice. But even with an ongoing investigation, there has to be a way to share some of the information and reassure these families. Some kind of middle path. 

It's the Bibb Administration’s responsibility to finally end the torture these families have endured. It needs to happen now."