BAGLEY, Minn. — Five boys and their father are recovering from serious burn injuries after a propane tank exploded in Bagley.
According to the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office, the accident happened Monday when a father and his sons opened a storage container to get some toys. Officials say a 100-pound propane tank was inside the container and the tank was leaking gas.
Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Amanda Swenson says the gas was ignited when the father fired a lighter, triggering an explosion.
"It was assumed it was an empty container,” Swenson said. "I think sometimes people underestimate in those containers how much propane might be there or how powerful that can be."
Officials say the five boys and their father were airlifted to the Hennepin County Medical Center to be treated at the burn unit for serious burns.
On the family's CaringBridge site Thursday, the boy's mother shared that "today's surgeries went well…there will be more tomorrow... prayers are greatly appreciated."
A statement from the mother said all five boys "are being treated for burns, are intubated and in critical condition and they have begun making strides in the healing process."
The family also has a GoFundMe account that has brought in more than $68,000.
"Burn injuries and these types of injuries have a long road of recovery generally,” Swenson said.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office says the accident is a tragic reminder to all Minnesotans who use propane and other explosive gases to check the connections on tanks whenever you move them or store them.
"Give it a once over, check all those lines, make sure your connections are solid. It really doesn't take much to be a really bad situation when it meets an ignition source,” Swenson said.
Fire officials also recommend gas detectors, because heading into cold and flu season you may not smell the gas leak if you're sick.
They're also warning deer hunters who may be sitting in a hunting shack or anyone who may be spending time in an ice fishing house this winter to also bring a carbon monoxide detector just in case.