Overview

• The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office, supported by the Maine Fuel Board, is conducting a technical analysis of the camper’s propane system and reports no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
• Initial findings suggest a liquefied petroleum gas leak beneath the 12- to 14-year-old park model camper ignited when a candle was lit to mask an unusual odor.
• Alesia Ventura-Large of Marlborough and Nancy Pilsch of Leominster, both 58, were rushed to Maine Medical Center after the July 26 explosion and died of their burn injuries on July 27.
• Investigators did not find a gas detector in the camper, highlighting a frequent safety gap in recreational vehicles that rely on propane or natural gas.
• State Police have urged RV owners to install gas detectors in living areas with propane or natural gas appliances to provide early warning of dangerous buildups.