BERLIN, Mass — The deadly house explosion that killed one woman, injured another and rocked the small town of Berlin in April is tied to an improperly stored propane tank by a fuel company employee, the State Fire Marshal’s Office said Thursday.
The exact ignition source has yet to be determined but officials say the explosion that leveled the home at 71 Pleasant Street and killed 79-year-old Judith Christensen on April 14 occurred just hours after residents reported smelling propane gas.
Residents near the house told officials they could smell gas emitting from two 100-pound liquid propane gas cylinders in the home’s backyard the night of April 13. When an employee from Knight Fuel Company came to deal with the leak, the employee moved the tank to a location around 20 feet from the home, officials say. The propane gas, which is heavier than air, then began to seep into the home’s basement through the fieldstone foundation and basement walkout, where it ignited around 3:30 a.m., officials say.
The Knight Fueling Company was cited for violating the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code bystoring more than 42 pounds of propane without a permit; failing to notify the Berlin Fire Department of the leaking tank; filling and delivering out-of-date propane cylinders to the Pleasant Street home; failing to notify the property owner that the leaking cylinder was out of date; and other actions, according to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
According to Berlin Fire Chief Michael McQuillen, the explosion sent debris as far as 300 feet, damaging three other homes and two nearby vehicles.
Christensen worked for years at the Berling General Store, a neighbor told Boston 25 News. Her daughter was pulled from the rubble by bystanders who rushed to the scene of the explosion.
“They lifted it up and took her out. They could hear her that she was alive still. They took her out and did all they could. They were very heroic, brave,” said Brook Lavache.
Lavache told Boston 25 that the explosion was so loud, that she was still dealing with its effects hours later.
“The sound. My ears are still ringing,” described Lavache.
An exact ignition source was not able to be determined due to the extent of the damage caused by the explosion.
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