Winder Fatal Explosion Caused by Leaking Propane Hose

The misuse of a propane tank to cook with is the cause of a house explosion that killed three people in Winder.

According to Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King, it happened just after midnight Saturday morning.

According to King, at approximately 12:04 a.m., neighbors reported an explosion to the Barrow County 911 center.

First responders arrived to find four occupants in the side yard of the residence, two of whom suffered severe burn injuries and were transported to Grady Hospital for treatment.

Once the fire was out, King said firefighters discovered the bodies of three women inside the structure.

The explosion happened when one of the residents of the house tried to use propane gas to cook by connecting a rubber hose to a camping burner.

King said the hose was leaking gas fumes which were ignited by a wood-burning stove at the other end of the room.

The bodies of the victims have been sent to the GBI Crime Lab in Atlanta for autopsy.

Saturday’s fatal explosion and fire highlight the dangers of propane and the need for safety when using any kind of heat source whether for cooking or heating your home.

Not only can fumes from propane tanks cause a fire, but they can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Terri Blackmer is the Director of the Criminal Investigations Division, for the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commission.

She says danger arises when there’s an undetected gas leak, which can not only cause an explosion if close to fire but can also cause a build-up of carbon monoxide and which can be deadly.

One of the biggest issues with carbon monoxide, which emits from any type of natural gas usage like propane, is that it’s odorless and colorless,” Blackmer said. “And so, unfortunately, you’re not going to be able, without a carbon monoxide detector – and those have to be really good and you have to maintain the upkeep of them – you’re not going to be able to detect it.”

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting.

If you are experiencing those symptoms, Blackmer advises you get checked out immediately by a doctor, and she says there’s a simple and free way to determine if your propane or gas heating system has a leak.