Elliot Olsen is a nationally prominent explosion lawyer who has regained millions for clients. If you or a family member were injured in this Lebanon hotel explosion, please call Elliot at (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation. He understands the pain and suffering experienced after such an event, and he can help survivors on the road to recovery.

Ten people – eight guests and two firefighters – were injured on Christmas Eve in an explosion that seriously damaged a hotel in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Firefighters responded to the Element Hanover Hotel at 25 Foothill Street shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday morning, according to a joint statement issued by New Hampshire State fire marshal Paul Parisi and Lebanon fire chief Chris Christopoulos.

Firefighters entered the building to investigate an odor of smoke and the presence of water on the first floor, the statement said. The explosion happened as firefighters were trying to force their way into the electrical room.

The injured firefighters are Todd Hamilton and Jeffrey Egner, a duty caption. Both men were taken to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center: Hamilton suffered head injuries, a broken arm, and a broken rib; Egner suffered a head injury.

Both firefighters were released from the hospital on Christmas Day and recovering from their injuries at home.

Lebanon hotel explosion:
80 guests moved elsewhere

The eight guests who were injured in the explosion all received non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to hospitals in the area. Three had to be rescued by firefighters through first-floor windows.

All 80 guests staying in the hotel were relocated to another hotel.

“I’ve been doing this for 37-and-a-half years, and by far this is the worst incident I’ve been involved with in my life,” Christopoulos told New Hampshire’s WMUR Channel 9.

Lebanon hotel explosion:
Nine departments responded

After the explosion, a utility room on the fifth floor caught on fire, but the fire was quickly extinguished. A third alarm was called to help search the 129 hotel rooms, and about 50 personnel from nine departments responded, the statement read.

Christopoulos told a reporter for WCAX Channel 3 of Burlington, Vermont, that it was lucky no one was more seriously injured. 

“Given the quantity of damage … somebody was looking out for us and the civilians today,” Christopoulos said, “and we’re very thankful that everybody’s OK.”

Lebanon hotel explosion:
Inquiry begun; gas suspected

The cause of the incident is under investigation by both the New Hampshire state fire marshal’s office and Lebanon Fire Department. Parisi, the state fire marshal, told WMUR reporters that “based on some of the initial damage that we’ve seen, it looks like it may be a gas incident.” Criminal activity is not suspected.

The explosion was contained to the hotel building, which suffered a significant amount of damage and will be closed for the foreseeable future. Officials said that a structural engineer will examine the building this week.

Lebanon hotel explosion injures 10, including 2 firefighters

Lebanon hotel explosion: A Christmas Eve explosion at a hotel in Lebanon, New Hampshire, injured eight guests and two firefighters.
The injured firefighters, Todd Hamilton and Jeffrey Egner, were taken to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center: Hamilton suffered head injuries, a broken arm, and a broken rib; Egner suffered a head injury and was released.

West Virginia explosion:
Man dies a day later

A West Virginia man who sustained serious burn injuries in an explosion and fire at a home in eastern Kanawha County on Christmas Eve died the next day at the West Penn Burn Center in Pittsburgh. Hospital officials identified the man as James Selbe, 44, of Belle.

The fire was reported at about 11 a.m. Tuesday at an apartment on 9th Street in Belle. Nearby residents say they heard an explosion before the fire. 

There was no immediate word on the cause of the explosion. Officials said that the West Virginia Fire Marshal’s Office will investigate.

According to medical officials, a representative from the Allegheny County Coroner’s office will perform an autopsy.

Free consultation
with explosion lawyer

Elliot Olsen has decades of experience as an explosion lawyer. You can contact him for a free consultation by filling out the following form and submitting it: