House Explosion in Swanton

STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
FIRE INVESTIGATION UNIT
VERMONT STATE POLICE
PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Structure Fire
TROOPER: Det. Sgt. Jeremy Hill STATION: St. Albans
DATE/TIME: 6/19/10 at approx. 0750 hrs

LOCATION: 72 Canada Street Swanton, VT

VICTIM: Ralph Labelle (46 years old)

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Swanton, VT

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
On 6/19/10 at approx. 7:50 am the Swanton Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment house explosion and fire at 72 Canada Street. When the fire department arrived they found the entire building engulfed in flames. Four seperate apartments were located within the building. A total of six residents were home at the time of the incident. All the residents were able to get out of the apartment building. Ralph Labelle who was staying in one of the upper floor apartments was seriously injured and had to be transported to Fletcher Allen. Labelle is currently in critical condition and being treated for severe burns. There were no other injuries as a result of the incident.

Fire Departments from St. Albans, Highgate and Georgia responded to assist in fire supression efforts. The fire departments were able to be extinguish the fire but the building is a total loss. The explosion caused the exterior walls of the upper floor apartment to "blow out" and debris from the apartment house hit nearby homes.

The Swanton Fire Department contacted the Vermont State Police and requested an Origin and Cause fire investigation be conducted. Fire Investigators from the Vermont State Police and Division of Fire and Safety responded to the scene. The cause of the explosion and fire is still under investigation but the State Police do not consider the fire to be suspicious.

The apartment building, three vehicles and two nearby homes were damaged. Damage estimates are in excess of $200,000.00