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.