On the last night of October 2023, a Stafford Township, New Jersey, community was shaken by a propane tank explosion that led to a fatality. Homeowner Kevin Thomas, aged 45, became a victim of the late-night explosion at his residence.
Responding to the scene, the Stafford Township Police Department found Thomas with life-threatening burns outside his home on Neptune Drive. His condition was so severe that he was flown to a Philadelphia burn center for treatment; despite medical efforts, Thomas did not survive.
Further investigation revealed that the explosion resulted from a propane discharge in the bedroom, which ignited upon meeting an open flame. The violent blast was both sudden and destructive.
After the explosion, a critically injured Thomas managed to reach out to a neighbor for assistance, who then quickly called for emergency services.
Thomas was not alone in the house at the time; his dog was present as well. The pet miraculously escaped the incident without injury.
The explosion left the home in ruins and has sparked a conversation on the safety of residential propane use. Propane is a common fuel in American homes, and while generally considered safe, the consequences of incorrect handling are severe, as this incident illustrates.