Ware fire pit explosion injures four, maybe more

Fires and explosions make headlines in the U.S. on a daily basis. They’re simply, and unfortunately, unavoidable.

Set a Google alert for “fire” or “explosion,” and be ready for your inbox to be peppered with updates.

Here is a sampling of headlines from just this week:

Ware fire pit explosion
injures at least four

From International Business Times: At least four people were injured Tuesday in a Ware fire pit explosion in Massachusetts. Ware is about 80 miles west of Boston.

The Ware fire pit explosion happened in a driveway on Dunham Avenue around 9 p.m. local time. Although initial reports said three people were injured, local Fire Chief Thomas Coulombe confirmed that another person suffered minor injuries and was treated at Baystate Mary Lane Outpatient Center.

WWLP TV news of Chicopee reported that two victims were airlifted to a Boston hospital, and a third was transported by ground.

Jennifer Mieth, a spokesperson for the State Fire Marshal’s Office, confirmed the details of the Ware fire pit explosion. She said the incident was similar to a grill explosion that occurred in West Springfield on Tuesday morning in which one person was engulfed in flames after pouring ignitable liquid onto a fire pit.

The exact cause of the Ware fire pit explosion, however, still is not known. The investigation is ongoing.

A Grand Lake home explosion Sunday claimed the life of a Colorado woman and injured her husband. Authorities identified the woman as Susan Ann McLean, 67, and her husband as Mark McLean, 63.

Grand Lake home explosion
kills wife, injures husband

From Sky-Hi News, Grand County, Colorado: A Grand Lake home explosion Sunday claimed the life of a woman and resulted in serious injuries to her husband. Grand Lake is located about 100 miles northwest of Denver.

According to the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, an explosion occurred at about 12:30 a.m. inside a home on Mad Moose Lane, west of Grand Lake just off Golf Course Road. Authorities identified the deceased as Susan Ann McLean, 67, of Grand Lake.

The Grand Lake home explosion also injured her husband, Mark McLean, 63. He was transported to the burn treatment center at Swedish Medical in Englewood, a suburb of Denver. Authorities said his injuries were serious but not life-threatening.

Authorities said Mark McLean made it to a neighbor’s home after the explosion but told them he had no recollection of how he got there.

A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said the Colorado Bureau of Investigation will assist with the investigation.

D.C. apartment fire
results in death of man

From the Washington Post: A man died Monday in a D.C. apartment fire, authorities said. The deceased was identified as Reginald Beckham, 72, of Southeast.

The fire was reported at about 8:45 Monday morning in an apartment complex in the 4700 block of Benning Road SE, in the Benning Ridge neighborhood. A spokesperson for the fire department said the fire was contained to a single apartment on the third floor.

The investigation is ongoing.

Autopsy completed for man
killed in McCall home explosion

From idahonews.com: The autopsy for a man killed March 17 in a McCall home explosion is finished. 

Coroner Scott Carver said that while the initial autopsy has been completed, a full report likely will take between six to eight weeks to finish. Carver said he expects the identification of the man likely will be released by the end of this week.

Crews were called out to a home on Fairway Drive on March 17 after the explosion destroyed the home, “leaving a crater and debris field hundreds of yards across.”

A 15-year-old girl was pulled from the debris and flown to Boise. Information on her condition has not been released.