In the midst of Halloween celebrations, a horrific event unfolded in Stafford Township, New Jersey, where a homeowner lost his life to a propane tank explosion. The incident took place around midnight on October 31, 2023, bringing terror to the otherwise festive evening.
The victim, 45-year-old Kevin Thomas, encountered a nightmare when his home on Neptune Drive was engulfed in flames. Responding to the urgent call, the Stafford Township Police Department found Thomas severely burned on his property. The gravity of his injuries required an emergency airlift to a Philadelphia burn center, where he ultimately passed away.
Investigators pinpointed the source of the explosion to a propane tank located in Thomas’ bedroom, identifying that an inadvertent release of propane gas came into contact with a live flame, causing the explosion.
The family dog was also in the residence at the time of the explosion but managed to escape unharmed.
The destruction of Thomas’ home has stirred conversations on the safety of using propane tanks within homes. The widespread adoption of propane for residential heating and cooking underscores the importance of safety in its use.
The community of Stafford Township has come together in mourning, offering condolences to the family of Kevin Thomas in the wake of the disaster.
