Two women from Massachusetts died when a camper exploded, possibly due to a gas leak, in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, on Saturday, Maine’s Department of Public Safety stated on Monday.
Alesia Venura-Large of Marlborough and Nancy Pilsch of Leominster, both 58, were identified Monday, Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Shannon Moss said in a statement.
At around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Old Orchard Beach Fire and EMS learned of a reported camper explosion at the campground, Moss stated. First responders found two women with severe burn injuries.
Ventura-Large and Pilsch were taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, Moss said. Both of them died on Sunday.
Though still active, the investigation has so far found that liquified petroleum gas leaked into and under the camper, Moss said. This gas was likely ignited by a lit candle, which would have triggered the explosion.
“In light of this tragedy, the Fire Marshal’s Office urges the public to consider installing gas detectors in any living space where propane or natural gas appliances are used,” Moss said in the statement. “These detectors can alert occupants to dangerous gas buildup and provide valuable time to evacuate or take safety precautions. The investigation will include further analysis of the gas systems with assistance from the Maine Solid Fuel Inspectors.”
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