NORTHFIELD, Massachusetts – A propane explosion in a camper parked at a home on East Street in Northfield on Wednesday morning caused no injuries or damage to the nearby residence. Northfield’s public safety departments responded to the incident at 54 East St. around 6:41 a.m. following reports of an explosion. Fire Chief Floyd “Skip” Dunnell III described the 25-foot camper as having suffered “pretty substantial explosion damage,” although no one was inside the camper at the time of the incident.
Dunnell explained that a propane gas buildup in the camper, coupled with the ignition source from the gas refrigerator cycling, caused a flash fire that extinguished on its own. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and the nearby residence was left unharmed. The camper, however, is expected to be a total loss. The homeowner at 54 East St. did not own the camper but had allowed a friend or family member to store it on their property.
The camper had been recently moved to the property as the owners, who live in Northfield, were preparing to go camping after getting tree work done. The Northfield Police Department and Northfield EMS also responded to the incident alongside the Fire Department. Emergency personnel were able to safely turn off the propane and disconnect the battery before starting their investigation into the cause of the explosion.
For further information on the incident, Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.
In conclusion, the prompt response from Northfield’s public safety departments averted possible injuries and damage to the surrounding area after the propane explosion in the camper. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures and proper handling of propane equipment to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of the community.