Friday, January 16, 2015

PROPANE TANK LEAK CAUSES EXPLOSION, FIRE AT HOME UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN DEALE, MARYLAND



PROPANE TANK LEAK CAUSES EXPLOSION, FIRE AT HOME UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN DEALE, MARYLAND


DEALE, Md. —Fire officials in Anne Arundel County said a leaking propane system caused an explosion and fire at a home in Deale on Thursday morning.

County fire crews were called to the home in the 600 block of East Marshall Avenue shortly before 8:30 a.m. after getting several calls about an explosion. Crews found heavy fire throughout a two-story single-family home that was still under construction.

About 55 firefighters were needed to bring the two-alarm fire under control, which took about an hour, officials said. No injuries were reported.

Investigators determined the fire was accidental and that the explosion was caused by a leaking propane system.

The same property was the scene of a house fire in March that killed 62-year-old Christopher Worth Schlegel, officials said. While the cause of that fire was officially undetermined, investigators said they believed it was likely accidental. The home had no working fire alarms.

Schlegel's home was torn down, and the current construction was what was being built in its place, fire officials said.

Officials said Thursday's fire caused about $175,000 in damage.