Our Story - Prelude to Disaster
In January 2003, we had a frozen pipe burst and flood the basement of our lake house on Winnipesaukee. Our insurance company contacted their restoration repair contractor for the initial clean up. Since the restoration company was already on-site, and familiar with the job, we contracted with them to complete the repairs. The burst pipe did not affect the main living area of the house and we continued to use the home throughout the winter and early spring.
During the restoration, the primary contractor subcontracted work on the basement kitchen cabinets and other carpentry. While repairing the cabinets, the subcontractor pulled the gas oven away from the wall and cut the propane supply pipe, leaving the pipe open. He did shut off the exterior propane tank, but did not lock nor tag the tank. After the cabinets were repaired; the subcontractor or the contractor pushed the stove back into place, without re-connecting the gas pipe to the stove. While the rest of the repair work was being completed the gas line was never sealed and we were not told about the open pipe.
Over Memorial Day Weekend, our family of five and Craig’s parents went up to the lake house for spring clean-up. On the evening of the 24th, Amilia was put to bed in a main floor bedroom. We put a load of wash in the gas dryer and went upstairs to the family room loft to watch a movie. When the clothes in the dryer were checked, they were not dry. We thought the gas company left the gas supply valve shut-off after filling the tank. We opened the valve and the dryer immediately started to work.
About 30 minutes later, the house blew-up.
Read about the Explosion