Family Hospitalized After Dangerous Propane Explosion in Minnesota

On Monday in Bagley, Minnesota, a family consisting of a father and five sons was severely injured in a propane explosion. The incident, which occurred while the family was at a storage unit to collect toys for a birthday, was triggered by a cigarette lighter igniting a leaking propane tank. Following the explosion, all six members suffered burns and were airlifted to a specialized burn unit at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis. Currently, the family is in critical condition; they have undergone surgeries and are responding positively, although they remain intubated and unable to communicate. Dimitri Frank, the oldest brother of the boys, expressed gratitude for their survival, highlighting that there were no internal injuries sustained in the accident, which is seen as a significant blessing. Minnesota State Fire Marshal Daniel Krier emphasized the importance of propane safety as winter approaches. He advised homeowners to ensure that propane tanks are stored safely outside and recommended the installation of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and explosive gas detectors in locations near the tanks. Krier's warnings noted that even seemingly empty tanks can contain enough gas to be hazardous. As the family continues to recover, they face a long journey involving several surgeries ahead. Dimitri Frank remains optimistic about their recovery and stresses the importance of safety measures around propane tanks to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future.