Posted on 11/29/2010, 2:21 pm, by mySteinbach

On November 29, 2010, at about 5:30am, Melita and Virden RCMP as well as local Emergency Services and EMS were dispatched to the scene of a propane furnace explosion.

The explosion occurred at a residence in the RM of Woodsworth, Manitoba, about 1 km South of Kenton on Highway 21.

Initial investigation revealed that a 63-year-old man had been attempting to re-light a propane furnace in the basement of his residence. When the man lit the pilot light, there was an explosion.

The blast pushed out a portion of the exterior walls of the two story residence as well as causing some fire damage. The blaze was quickly extinguished by firefighters.

The Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner is assisting with the investigation.

The man was transported to hospital with serious burns to his face and hands.

There were no other persons in the residence at the time of the explosion.

Police continue to investigate.

Cst. Miles Hiebert
RCMP Media Relations
Tel:(204)983-8497