Fire, exploding oxygen tanks destroy trailer home
CHERRY TWP — An explosion rocked West Sunbury Road Monday night when oxygen tanks exploded and destroyed a trailer home, officials said.
No one was home at 1573 West Sunbury Road.
John Bunyan, first lieutenant of the West Sunbury Volunteer Fire Department, said he heard the explosions that were reported on emergency dispatch at 11:38 p.m.
“There were three explosions,” he said. “Two I heard at the fire hall.”
The house was engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived, according to Bunyan.
He said it took firefighters about 15 minutes to extinguish the blaze.
The home is the residence of Susan Traggia, 52, and her 16-year-old son, Conrad. They were planning to move out in October, she said.
“Conrad came to pick up a few things (earlier that day) and everything was fine,” Traggia said.”
The two were staying with family in New Castle when she received a call that her home was on fire.
“We were just staying with my brother for a while because he was gone and I had to take care of my mother,” Traggia said.
Traggia said she uses the oxygen tanks as-needed because of a medical condition. There were a total of nine tanks at the residence before the explosions Monday night, she said. Two were empty when the blaze broke out Monday; the rest exploded during the fire.
Traggia said she lost everything, including family mementos from Conrad’s first Christmas and a large collection of media items.
The explosion and fire also damaged the home of Audrey and James Morris. The Morrises live next door, about 10 feet away from the trailer.
Fire officials say due to the proximity of the buildings, the fire began melting the side of the Morris’ home.
“I froze in my chair,” Audrey Morris said of her reaction to the explosions.
She also said the three explosion woke her husband, who was asleep in the bedroom which is located toward the end of the trailer next to the explosion.
“There were at least three giant booms. It blew my toilet off the foundation, and cracked my sink,” she said.
Traggia said she believes the home, which is owned by her mother, is insured. On Tuesday she thanked friends and family members for their help in the wake of the fire.
“Thanks, everybody, for your support,” she said. “I want everyone to know we’re fine.”
A fire marshal will be called, according to Bunyan, to investigate the cause of the fire, which as of Monday night was unknown.
Fire departments from West Sunbury, Marion Township, Slippery Rock and North Washington assisted, and Butler Ambulance was also on scene.
