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Fears as common household product is blamed for terrifying home explosion in Maine that ripped through neighborhood
A common household product has been blamed for triggering a terrifying home explosion in Maine that ripped through an entire neighborhood.
Officials said a lit propane tank triggered the explosion at the home on Shore Road in Sinclair at around 7 pm on August 10.
The resulting blast sent debris 300 feet in the air, with some landing in a nearby lake and other nearby properties also damaged. The male homeowner was hospitalized, WABI 5 reported.
Experts have now issued a stark warning about the dangers of propane, which is commonly used in households with gas stoves.
When leaks occur they can be silent or there may be a hissing sound. The smell of rotten eggs or skunk spray may also fill the area but it can go unnoticed as it typically lingers closer to the ground, North Lakes Deputy Fire Chief Derrick Ouellette told First Alert 4.
A home on Shore Road in Sinclair exploded around 7 pm on August 10, sending debris 300 feet in the air and damaging multiple homes
The male homeowner was hospitalized after the massive propane explosion (pictured). Neighbor Barabra Deschaine's home was also damaged in the explosion
'I heard a boom and I felt like the floor was going to cave into the cellar and the roof was going to fall in on top of me,' neighbor, Barabra Deschaine, told First Alert 4. 'I looked out the window, and there was debris flying all over.'
Her home was damaged by the explosion, causing debris to rip through the walls of her garage, she told the local outlet.
Other homes saw their windows blown out and another residence even caught fire.
The family, who were home at the time, managed to evacuate safely.
'We’re fortunate that so many fire departments came to help because it could have been a lot worse,' Deschaine said.
Experts said that one way to spot any potential leak is to pay attention to your meter to see if more gas is being used than normal.
'I heard a boom and I felt like the floor was going to cave into the cellar and the roof was going to fall in on top of me,' she said (pictured: debris from the explosion)
Some debris ended up landing in a nearby lake, pictured above, after the explosion
'If your consumption has gone up and you haven’t used any more than usual, there’s a sign right there,' Ouellette said.
Leaks can be dangerous and can happen for many reasons, including valves being left open, pressure changes, and using an old tank.
If anyone suspects a gas leak, they should call 911 or their gas company and 'leave the area immediately,' Con Edison said.
They should also avoid lighting matches, starting cars, or using electronic appliances as they could spark a fire.
Homeowners should double-check that their stove burners are turned off before leaving the house, regularly check connectors to gas appliances, and avoid keeping any flammable materials such as candles near appliances, according to Con Edison.
Unlike the Sinclair owner of the house that exploded, residents of a Goodhope, Missouri, home, which also suffered a gas leak were not as lucky.
Four family members - Salvador Haro, Sylvia Haro, Salvador Haro Junior and a 16-year-old - died after their house exploded when their propane tank ignited.
The resulting blast was heard from at least 10 miles away.