A woman was sniffing propane in the back of a van when her husband entered the van with a lighted cigarette, causing an explosion that ripped the roof off the vehicle.
Donald Rohrig was taken to Akron Children's Hospital and was listed in good condition. His wife, Tammy Rohrig, was taken to Aultman Hospital and was listed in satisfactory condition.
Firefighters said Tammy Rohrig had been sniffing propane in a van Tuesday evening when Donald Rohrig went out to look for her. Gordon Black of the Fire Prevention Bureau said Donald Rohrig went into the van with a lighted cigarette, causing it to explode. The explosion caused a flash fire, which was contained to the van, according to the Fire Department.
Harry Cavitt, a retired firefighter who lives a half-mile away, said he had never seen anything like this before. "It's just scary thinking about it," said neighbor Lillie Johnson, Cavitt's mother.
Firefighters were called out to the house in October for another propane-related situation. Officials said the house was full of a propane smell and had to be ventilated by the Fire Department. |