An explosion at 6 a.m. completely destroyed a two-story house in western New York on Tuesday, June 24, 2012, killing a 14-year-old girl and injuring her parents and two siblings. The homeowners reportedly detected an odor of propane a day earlier, but it was unclear what action was taken. The cause of the explosion was being investigated.

The force of the explosion reduced the large home to a pile of waist-high ruins that caught fire. It also caused damage to a neighboring home, located about 100 yards away.
Several of the family members were thrown from the home into the street due to the explosion, a circumstance that ironically allowed them to survive. They were later hospitalized and stabilized with burn injuries. Some remained in critical condition.
Factors causing or contributing to gas explosions resulting in burn injuries or wrongful death have included improper gas line locations, faulty parts and equipment in mobile homes, workplace equipment, camping equipment, and defectively designed propane stoves. One important signal indicating the potential for a catastrophic event is the odor of gas (note that although gas has no smell, laws require that odorants be added for safety purposes). Should a gas leak be suspected, the property owner or occupants should immediately evacuate, then contact the proper authorities.
If you or a loved one has suffered burn injuries from a fire, explosion, or electrocution, contact a personal injury attorney at our Boston law office. We are here to answer your questions and protect your legal rights.
By James A. Swartz of Swartz & Swartz, P.C. – Permalink

About the Author: James Swartz

Mr. Swartz, our Managing and Principal Attorney at Swartz & Swartz P.C., is a nationally recognized and respected trial attorney as well as consumer advocate. His practice focuses on cases involving negligence, torts, products liability, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and other claims involving catastrophic injuries.