Investigators: Propane leak caused fatal Berlin house explosion; safety code violated
BERLIN — Authorities have determined that an April 14 house explosion that killed a 79-year-old woman in Berlin was caused by propane leaking from a tank and into the house's basement, the state Department of Fire Services announced Thursday.
The gas was ignited by an undetermined source, according to a statement from the Department of Fire Services.
Knight Fuel Co., who investigators believe handled a leaking propane tank at the residence, was found to have violated the state Comprehensive Fire Safety Code by code compliance officers.
The fire and explosion killed Judith A. "Judy" Christensen, 79, and injured her daughter Jill.
Code compliance officers from the Department of Fire Services determined that Knight Fuel Co. violated the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code by storing 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of propane without a permit; failing to notify the Berlin Fire Department of the leaking tank; filling and delivering out-of-date propane cylinders to the Pleasant Street home; failing to notify the property owner that the leaking cylinder was out of date; and other actions. A notice of violation was issued to Knight Fuel Co. in the course of the investigation.
Christensen's home at 71 Pleasant St. was leveled by an explosion early morning April 14. Judy Christensen was pronounced dead at the scene.
State and local authorities determined that on the night of April 13, residents smelled propane in the backyard where two 100-pound liquid propane gas cylinders were located.
Residents notified Knight Fuel Co. of the apparent leak. The tank was removed from the backyard and into a location about 20 feet from the home.
The tank continued to leak propane gas and the gas traveled into the basement through the fieldstone foundation and basement walkout. The gas was ignited shortly before 3:30 a.m., according to the Department of Fire Services.
The explosion completely demolished the structure and the total collapse made it impossible to determine the ignition source. Authorities determined the ignition was not suspicious in nature.
Berlin Police Officer Molly Plante and residents Brian Clemmer, Dylan Clemmer and Bobby Wheeler saved the daughter, who was trapped under debris.
According to the Department of Fire Services release, Knight Fuel Co. was found to have stored more than 42 pounds of propane without a permit. The company was also found to have failed to notify the Berlin Fire Department of a leaking tank, filled and delivered out-of-date propane cylinders, and failed to notify the property owner that the leaking cylinder was out of date.
Knight Fuel Co. was issued a notice of violation during the investigation, according to the release.
In June, the Department of Fire Services said investigators believed a propane leak likely caused the explosion.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Propane leak caused fatal Berlin house explosion April 14
