Worcester, Vermont house explosion injured two, destroyed home

A Worcester, Vermont house explosion injured two people and destroyed the home on Sunday, March 3, 2019. David Garneau, 39, and Miranda Bador, 30, who lived in the home, both suffered burn injuries. They managed to crawl clear of the house, but Bador was badly burned. Garneau put her in a car and drove to meet a Worcester ambulance, which had been sent when a neighbor called 9-1-1. They were both taken to Central Vermont Hospital in Berlin, where Garneau was treated and released. Bador was then sent to UVM Medical Center for treatment of second-degree burns.

The house was devastated by the explosion, which blew out three of the walls. Debris was thrown several feet away. The News & Citizen newspaper reports that the house is a complete and total loss. Because of the level of damage, inspectors believe that they will never be able to determine the cause of the explosion.

Burns from the Worcester, Vermont house explosion

The severity of burns is classified by how deeply the burn reaches in the victim. They run from first degree burns to fourth-degree burns. First-degree burns, the least serious, damage the epidermis, which is the outer layer of skin. Second-degree burns are more serious, and damage the epidermis and the dermis, the layer of skin below the epidermis.

Second-degree burns can cause blistering. They are painful, and may cause scarring.

The other consideration when classifying burns is the amount of skin that has been burned. Obviously, less is better. If a large percentage of skin is burned, the risks of burn shock, infection, and other problems are increased. In the case of the Worcester, Vermont house explosion, one piece of good news is that these complications are more commonly associated with third- and fourth-degree burns.

Propane Safety and the Worcester, Vermont house explosion

According to state fire investigators, the home’s appliances were fueled by propane. They suspect that the explosion was caused by a propane leak somewhere in the house.

Investigators added that the explosion and fire are not considered suspicious or intentional.

According to a report prepared by the National Fire Prevention Agency (NFPA), “U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 1,170 home structure fires involving LP-gas in 2003-2007. These fires resulted in 34 civilian deaths, 135 civilian injuries and $48 million in direct property damage.”

The NFPA report also features the following safety tips:

Handle any propane-powered equipment cautiously and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Cylinder tanks for equipment such as stoves and ovens must be located outside of the home.
Never store or use propane gas cylinders larger than one pound inside the home.
Never operate a propane-powered gas grill inside the home.
Have propane gas equipment inspected periodically by a professional for possible leaks or malfunctioning parts.
Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions when lighting a pilot.
If you smell a strong odor of gas, leave the area immediately and call the fire department from outside the home.
For more information, visit the Propane Education and Research Council Web site.

What can you do?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a fire or explosion, the law firm of Pritzker Hageman has years of experience in this area, and can guide you through the complexities of your case. We understand the shock and distress that people feel after such a traumatic event, and provide understanding, compassion, and encouragement. We can help you find answers and get justice. We have won multi-million dollar settlements for clients, and helped them begin to put their lives back together again.

For a free, no-obligation discussion of your case, call us at 1-888-377-8900. Or send in the online contact form.