House Explosion in Solen, North Dakota Injures One

A house explosion near Solen, North Dakota injured one man, according to the Morton County Sheriff. The incident happened at about 6:00 am on Sunday, May 27, 2018. The injured man was leaving the house when it exploded.

The home was destroyed by a fire that broke out after the explosion. The injured man, 63-year-old Michael Meyer, drove himself to meet the ambulance. He needed surgery for a broken arm and was then released from the hospital.  A Gofundme page has been established for Mr. Meyer. 

Officials think that the explosion was caused by a propane leak, according to a preliminary investigation. Propane explosions are unfortunately common, since the gas is highly volatile. One spark is all it takes to cause a serious accident.

Odor Fade Can Make Propane Tanks Hazardous

Propane is an odorless, colorless gas. Regulations require that an odorant is added to the gas so anyone in the vicinity will be alerted if there was a leak. If there was no odor, that means there was a problem with the odorant.

Odor fade in propane tanks can be caused by several factors. A new tank may not have been filled to the correct level. That means the odorant will be absorbed by the lining, and the gas will be undetectable. The tank may have been underfilled, which also reduces odor. Anyone who fills or works with propane tanks must be properly trained so odor fade does not happen.

Broken Bones are Common in House Explosion Accidents

Explosions can create enough force to throw an adult person into the air. Crush injuries and broken bones can occur from the force of the blast, or when someone is thrown against a solid surface such as a wall or the ground. In this case, Mr. Meyer’s arm was broken.

Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman understand the complexities of explosion cases. They have represented many clients in explosion lawsuits and have won millions. Contact them at 1-888-377-8900 today for a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation to protect your legal rights.

Source

McLaughlin, Cynthia. “House explosion in Solen leaves one man injured.” Kfyrtv.com, May 27, 2018.