A woman was injured last week when authorities believe she attempted to light a cigarette while driving a Chrysler Pacifica that was hauling a propane cylinder that, unbeknownst to her, was leaking, causing a massive explosion. The force of the blast was so significant that it literally blew the metal roof clean off of the Pacifica, as well as all the windows and doors, launching some components more than 100 feet away from the van, into the yards of nearby homes. Miraculously, the driver was okay.
The explosion occurred in Burke, Virginia at 7:30 a.m. on April 9, and residents near the area said it shook their homes so violently it made pictures fall off the wall. How could this have happened? According to NBC4 Washington, “investigators believe with temperatures in the 30s that morning, she probably had the windows rolled up, so a leak would have filled the car up with gas.” We’ve covered similar incidents in the past where the drivers have been able to walk away, but for god’s sake, open your windows when you’re hauling propane canisters in enclosed vehicles — or, maybe, don’t smoke at all when carrying something like that in your car.
Read more: 5 Bad Driver Habits Guaranteed To Annoy Everyone Else On The Road
Propane is a common fuel, but it’s extremely volatile
Alan Caramella, a homeowner near the incident, told NBC4 that he saw the driver sitting on a curb in front of his home after the explosion. “A woman was comforting her. She was just shaking uncontrollably. She had burns on her arms. You know, it was like red — deep sunburn.” Police said none of her injuries were life threatening.
The circumstances surrounding this explosion aren’t entirely clear beyond what’s already been discussed, so there’s not currently a clear cause for the propane leak, and though local police said the explosion appears accidental, they have assigned a major crimes detective to the case.
Propane is a very widely used fuel source for things like grills and fireplaces, but it is extremely flammable. AmeriGas, a popular propane provider, recommends that users never keep a filled propane cylinder in a hot vehicle, and to place it in a well-ventilated area of the vehicle. It also recommends transporting the cylinders in a secured upright position, and it recommends sealing the cylinder with a plug, if required, even if the cylinder is empty.
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