Weekend Maine Camper Explosion Injures Two Women

A peaceful afternoon in the oceanside tourist destination of Old Orchard Beach was shaken up by the explosion of a camper at Powder Horn Campground.

According to a press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety's Shannon Moss, the explosion seriously injured two women who were inside the camper when it exploded.

The incident happened at about 12:30 p.m. on July 26.

The press release explains that Old Orchard Beach Fire and EMS rushed to the campground, which is located on Cascade Road, after receiving reports of a blast.

When crews arrived, they found two adult women badly burned.  Both were immediately taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland for emergency treatment.

Fortunately, the firefighters were able to quickly put out the resulting fire, but due to the severity of the injuries and the nature of the explosion, the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office was called in for a full investigation.

While the investigation continues, it does appear that the explosion was caused by a dangerous buildup of LP (liquefied petroleum) gas inside and underneath the camper. Investigators believe the gas may have been leaking for some time.  Then, when one of the women lit a candle, the gas ignited.  That small spark was all it took.

Maine Department of Public Safety

Right now, the investigation is still active. The Fire Marshal’s team is working alongside Maine Solid Fuel Inspectors to take a closer look at the camper’s gas systems and figure out what went wrong.

So far, there has been no update on the condition of the two victims, but more details are expected in the coming days.

If you’ve ever spent time in a camper or RV, this is a scary reminder: gas leaks are no joke.  Always double-check your lines and be aware of strange smells or hissing sounds.