Chester, MA – The Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department responded to 1000 block Dominion Road Wednesday evening, Jan. 10, for reports of a motor home explosion.
Fire Chief Buddy Thomas said the explosion was caused by a gas leak. He described the motor home as a pull behind camper.
The owner, who asked not to be identified, said he had purchased the 1995 Coachman motor home two days earlier off Craig’s List. He picked it up in Arlington, Va., and brought it home.
It was cold working inside the camper Wednesday, so he lit the propane furnace, and in about a minute’s time, the furnace exploded, he said.
There were reports of light smoke showing after the explosion, but there was no fire, Thomas said.
The owner received only minor injuries his eyebrows were singed, and he was a little shook up, Thomas said. The owner said he only got a scratch on his hand. He refused transport to the hospital.
He was lucky he got out, Thomas said. For the damage done to the motor home or trailer for him to get out was remarkable. It totally destroyed that camper.
The explosion also damaged the man’s house, next to the motor home.