Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Camper Explosion

The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating a Monday afternoon explosion in Stetson that destroyed a camper and reportedly threatened nearby woods.

The press release explains:

On Monday, July 7, 2025, at approximately 2:08 pm the Stetson Fire Department responded to a report of black smoke and an explosion at 301 Coboro Road in Stetson. Residents at the property had placed Tannerite, a binary explosive often used for target shooting, inside an old camper located behind the house. The Tannerite was detonated, causing the camper to explode. The blast triggered a fire that threatened nearby woods, but responding fire units were able to extinguish it before it spread.

Fortunately, there were no injuries during the incident.

In addition to fire crews from Stetson, first responders from the Levant, Carmel, and Etna Fire Departments helped with containing the fire. The Maine State Police and Maine Forest Rangers also responded.

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The State Fire Marshal’s Office is currently in the process of investigating the explosion.

What is Tannerite?

Developed by a man named Daniel Tanner in the 1990s, Tannerite is an explosive powder that detonate when shot by a firearm.

As this video shows, in recent years, we have seen the product used as part of gender reveal parties.

You can learn more about the product HERE

The Importance of Fire Safety

While we are not exactly sure what happened during this incident, it should serve as a reminder that we all need to make sure we always practice fire safety.

It is important to always follow the instructions and take needed safety precautions when dealing with flammable or explosive chemicals.