BROWNINGTON — Authorities say that an explosion at a residence in Brownington on Friday evening was most likely caused by a grill sized gas tank stored in the basement of the home.
At around 6:52 p.m. the Orleans Fire Department responded to the report of an explosion on Chapdelaine Road.
The explosion caused extensive damage to the building, and a small fire in the basement had self-extinguished.
There was no one home at the time of the incident.
Police say the residence is not habitable due to the structural damage, and a family of five is being assisted by the Vermont Red Cross with temporary housing.
Fie investigators say nine grill size gas tanks were located in the basement, one being used to fuel an instant hot water heater.
The specific source and cause of the gas leak could not be determined, but investigators say the probable ignition of the gas which caused the explosion was an electric water pump located in the basement.
The Department of Public Safety is warning the public of the dangers of storing and using LP Gas tanks/cylinders inside of a building.
The leaking of a tank can result in an explosion.
The misuse of the gas can result in the production of Carbon Monoxide gas, and the presence of a tank that is involved in a fire could cause injury or death of a firefighter.
