Utah propane explosion hospitalizes man

Explosions occur far too frequently in the United States.

They’re simply – and unfortunately – unavoidable. Set a Google alert for the word “explosion,” and your inbox will shortly be inundated with updates.

Here is a look at two recent headlines about explosions, one on the East Coast and the other out west:

Utah propane explosion severely injures man

A man sustained life-threatening injuries Thursday after a Utah propane explosion in Tooele, the Deseret News reported. (Tooele is a city of approximately 35,000 people located about 35 miles west of Salt Lake City.)

The man had just arrived in a garage when the explosion happened about 5:30 p.m. in the area of 1000 West and 900 South, Tooele fire chief Rick Harrison said.

Firefighters believed the incident was an accident and caused by mishandling of propane, Tooele fire captain Bucky Whitehouse said.

When emergency crews arrived, the injured man was conscious, breathing and alert, but his condition declined, Whitehouse said. The victim eventually began to have trouble breathing, likely from “superheated” gas (gas that is hotter than liquid’s boiling point).

The man was flown to a Salt Lake hospital with injuries that were considered life-threatening, Whitehouse said. No other information was released on the man, other than that he is in his 30s.

A man was severely injured May 23 in a Utah propane explosion in the city of Tooele, a city of about 35,000 located about 35 miles west of Salt Lake City. The injured man was flown to a hospital in the Utah capital.

South River Market explosion casualties identified

WSET-TV news in Lynchburg, Virginia, reported recently that Virginia State Police identified a victim in the May 10 South River Market explosion in Buena Vista. Police also confirmed that the death toll from the explosion had increased to four: three people died in the May 10 explosion, and one injured victim – market owner Roger Lee Roberts, 69, of Buena Vista – died the next day at VCU Medical Center in Richmond.

Roberts’ son, Kevin Roberts, and granddaughter, Samantha Roberts Lewis, died in the blast, family members told the Roanoke Times. Paul Ruley, a regular market customer, also died, according to a statement issued by the Roberts and Lewis families.

“We grieve with the Ruley family as they suffer the loss of their dedicated husband, father, and son, Paul Ruley,” the statement read. “Paul was a regular patron of South River Market, but more importantly, he was a friend.”

Police are still investigating the cause of the explosion, but have said it does not appear to be suspicious.

South River Market explosion:
Victims’ statement

Three other injured victims were taken to Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital in Lexington, but no information has been released on their conditions. Two of those victims, Wayne Rogers and Jeff Staton, released a statement:

“On May 10, 2019, an explosion at South River Market resulted in the loss of four people. Wayne Rogers and Jeff Staton identify themselves among the injured who acted as quickly and in the best way they could to assist others before first responders arrived on the scene.

“Mr. Rogers and Mr. Staton offer sincere condolences to the Lewis, Roberts, and Ruley families, all of which are grieving the loss of loved ones lost in or due to the explosion.

“Please respect the privacy of Wayne Rogers, Jeff Staton, and their families by not requesting interviews or photographs.”