ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WBFF) — Fire investigators say an accidental propane leak and an ignition spark from a metal grinder caused last week’s deadly residential explosion in the Cape St. Claire community.
The Anne Arundel County Fire Department Fire Marshal Division’s Fire/Arson/Explosives Unit said it has completed its investigation into the explosion at a home in the 1100 block of Green Holly Drive in Annapolis.
Investigators determined the explosion “was accidental in nature and originated from an accumulation of propane gas inside the residence,” according to the department.
The investigation found the homeowner was working on the home’s HVAC system when a propane line was inadvertently cut, allowing gas to leak and build up inside the home without the homeowner realizing it.
While continuing to work in the area, the homeowner then used a metal grinder, which investigators identified as the ignition source. The ignition of the accumulated propane gas caused the explosion, the department said.
Family members told investigators the homeowner has a diminished sense of smell, which may have affected his ability to detect the odor associated with the leaking propane, the department said.
The explosion happened Thursday, Aug. 20, at about 12:15 p.m. Anne Arundel County Fire Department officials said they received multiple calls from neighbors reporting a possible explosion and arrived to find a collapsed single-family home.
Crews found an adult woman in cardiac arrest who was pronounced dead at the scene. She was identified as Linda Synowczynski, 76. An adult man was rescued from the debris and flown by helicopter to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.
An Anne Arundel County police officer also suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries and was taken by vehicle to a local hospital.
As of the Aug. 24 update, the homeowner remained hospitalized in serious condition. Earlier updates had described the patient at Bayview as being in critical condition.
Investigators also reiterated that the propane company that responded to the residence that day “did not contribute to the explosion.” An initial release had said a gas company had been on-site filling the tank about one hour before the incident.
The fire department also issued a safety reminder, noting propane and natural gas are highly flammable. Officials said anyone who smells gas or suspects a leak should leave the area immediately and call 811 (Miss Utility) or 911 in an emergency, and should not operate anything that could create a spark.
The department said people should never attempt to locate or repair a gas leak themselves and should have gas-related work performed by qualified professionals, adding that some people may have a diminished sense of smell and should not rely solely on odor detection.
Local Story
