Explosion injures 2, destroys trailer near Ephrata

EPHRATA - Two people were injured Tuesday morning in an explosion inside a trailer south of Ephrata.

About 4 a.m., emergency crews were dispatched to trailer fire at the Pacific Springs RV Resort at 5707 Highway 28 West near Ephrata. According to reports, two people inside the trailer attempted to light a stove inside to warm up. The stove exploded into flames.

Groundskeeper John Perry, who is staying a few lots down from the trailer, said he heard a loud bang. His wife, Kimberly, called 9-11.

"We heard screaming. It was nuts," he said.

Jeff Gannon, the resort's manager, said he didn't hear the explosion, but a tenant knocked on his door and told him a trailer was on fire. Tenants attempted to slow the fire's progress with water hoses until firefighters with Grant County Fire District No. 13 arrived, about 30 minutes after the initial explosion, Gannon said.

The trailer was fully engulfed by the time fire fighters arrived and is a total loss. The fire scorched a nearby tree but no other trailers in the area were damaged. Four propane tanks were attached to the trailer and were all intact.

The two victims, whose names were not released, received burns from the explosion. Both were treated on scene and initially refused to be taken to the hospital for treatment. Gannon said he convinced the two to receive further treatment at Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata.

The male victim had his hand wrapped by medical responders on scene, Gannon explained. The two victims were released from the hospital, according to Gannon.

He also said the victims were looking for their dog as the trailer burned. They later found the dog unharmed.

The victims were living in the trailer for some time as a permanent residence and are now staying at a local hotel, Gannon said.