RV explosion shocks campers
RV explosion shocks campers
Propane leak at KOA campground is a good reminder to check safety equipment and propane leak detectors.
While the first ever Waterpalooza event was taking place a few hundred metres away, campers at the KOA in Sturgeon Falls were in shock because of other noises.
At around 6:30PM a motorhome parked at the campground exploded due to what is believed to be a propane leak from the kitchen stove. The photos that were shared on social media afterwards were almost unbelievable. Only the cab of the unit remains while the walls and furniture are scattered in pieces.
The motorhome belonged to a camper from Quebec who was passing through. He is the only one who sustained injuries but he is now in stable condition.
One witness was David Schell who shared on Facebook that he ran to help instantly and found the owner of the unit still standing in front of his stove with a lighter in his hand. He warned other campers to check that their safety equipment in their campers are working.
On Monday morning, the owners of the KOA campground thanked first responders as well as fellow campers and staff who stepped up to help after the explosion.
According to the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, campers and motorhomes should be equipped with a propane leak alarm at floor level, no more than six inches above the floor or lowest level to alert you in the event of a propane leak.
According to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) in the United States, there are over 4,000 RV and campers fires reported each year in the U.S. and these result in an average of 15 deaths and over 100 injuries per year.
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