Liam and Sarah O’Sullivan, Granville, Vermont mother and son killed in Essex Junction propane gas leak explosion during birthday celebration. Essex Junction blast leaves 3 others injured as investigators call tragedy ‘accidental’.
A propane gas explosion at a Granville, Vermont house during a birthday celebration left a mother and a son dead along with three others injured according to Vermont State Police.
Liam O’Sullivan, 20, and his mother, Sarah O’Sullivan, 46, both of Essex Junction were both identified as the victims killed in the weekend blast, WCAX reported citing officials.
First responders received a call around 7:45 p.m. Saturday. They said the explosion happened while one of the two people who died was celebrating a birthday.
Mom & son killed during birthday celebration
Troopers said the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was rushed to Gifford Medical Center in Randolph, where she later died.
The mother and son were described as dying from ‘blast-related injuries,’ according to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington according to MYNBC5.
Three other adults were taken to the hospital. Two had minor injuries, and one had critical injuries.
A family birthday party was taking place at the time of the explosion, Vermont State Police said.
Cause of Granville, Vermont propane leak explosion deemed accidental
Neighbors told NBC5 they heard what sounded like fireworks, followed by a loud explosion. One said the blast shattered one of their windows. Another had their house shake and frames fell off the walls. The blast left the mother and son’s single story home levelled by the blast.
Of note, Sarah O’Sullivan and her son, Liam, were featured on NBC5 in South Burlington in March for their participation in the Special Olympics Vermont Penguin Plunge in Lake Champlain.
The Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit classified the explosion as accidental. Investigators determined the explosion was caused by a propane leak within the home.
Authorities to date have yet to say what may have caused the blast at the family home.
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