Two best friends celebrating birthday killed in explosion after lighting candle
Two best friends were tragically killed in an explosion after one of them lit a candle inside a camper.
Pictures from inside the camper show it severely burned and damaged following the incident that left Alesia Ventura-Large, 58, and 57-year-old Nancy Pilsch both dead while they were supposed to be enjoying a holiday in Maine, in the US. Ventura-Large had invited her friend to the holiday at the Powder Horn Campground in Old Orchard Beach.
The explosion critically injured both women, according to the State Fire Marshal's Office, despite the efforts of emergency services and them being rushed to the Maine Medical Centre in Portland. It comes after a Brit mum's 'horrendous' death after being scratched by a puppy with rabies on holiday.
An initial investigation into the incident suggests the women, both from Massachusetts, had arrived at the camper on Saturday and noticed a strange smell they thought was like garlic. After opening the windows, they also lit a candle to try and mask the smell, but the camper they were in exploded.
It is still not entirely clear what triggered the explosion. Fire Marshall Shawn Esler said two potential causes are being looked at, including if there was a system failure that caused a leak of propane gas. The other is that firefighters said they noticed the gas stove was on, causing a possible leak of propane into the camper, which was owned by Ventura-Large.
Esler said Ventura-Large and Pilsch were 'visiting Maine here this weekend and intended on having a wonderful weekend here in Old Orchard Beach'. This was ahead of Pilsch's 58th birthday on Monday.
John Large, Ventura-Large's husband, said his late spouse was an 'amazing woman' and 'the light of a lot of people's lives'. He added: 'She was a healer, she was a seer, she was very sensitive."
Pilsch's neighbour Steve Bercovitz said his friend's death was a 'tough loss' and had hit their community hard, WOWT reported.
Fire Marshall Esler urged people to use gas detectors in any space where natural or propane gas tanks are cursed, CBS News reported. Smoke detectors, but no gas detectors, were found in the camper.
Esler said: 'This is an absolutely tragic event. While we don't always want to use a tragedy to spread a message, it's incredibly important that if you have a propane or a natural gas in your household that you invest in a gas detector.'
WGME reported that seasoned camper James Viet said gas detectors are a vital safety feature inside campers. 'It's supposed to go off if it senses that smell that you're talking about,' he said.
The campground said in a statement: 'As many of you know, a great tragedy has befallen our Powder Horn community. Sadly, the two guests involved have succumbed to their injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.'
It added that it would like to 'extend a sincere thanks to the Old Orchard Beach Police, Fire and Rescue for their prompt and effective response'. The resort said: 'They are truly an asset to this community, and we are truly grateful.'
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