FINLEY, Washington – A 62-year-old woman suffered serious burns in a motorhome fire caused by a propane stove explosion early Friday morning in Finley, Washington. The incident occurred around 2:15 a.m. when the woman ignited the stove to make tea, triggering the explosion, according to Jenna Roberts, the public information officer for Benton County Fire District 1.
Neighbors quickly responded to the explosion, rushing into the burning motorhome to rescue the woman and her two dogs. Despite being able to communicate, the victim sustained burns on her face, arms, legs, and hands as a result of the fire.
Firefighters from Benton County Fire District 1, assisted by the Kennewick Fire Department, arrived at the scene on E. Finley Road to extinguish the flames. The RV was completely destroyed by the fire, with responders spending approximately two hours monitoring the aftermath of the incident.
Authorities from the Benton County sheriff’s office are currently investigating the cause of the fire to determine the exact circumstances that led to the propane stove exploding inside the motorhome.
The victim’s condition and further details regarding the incident have not been disclosed at this time, as investigations are still underway. The community is coming together to support the woman as she recovers from her injuries and deals with the loss of her motorhome.
As safety precautions are always essential when dealing with propane appliances, this incident serves as a reminder for individuals to exercise caution and follow proper guidelines when using such equipment to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.