Driver hospitalized after propane truck explosion ignites house fire in Scituate

SCITUATE, R.I. (WLNE)- The driver of a propane truck has been sent to the hospital after his truck exploded on Wednesday afternoon, causing a nearby house to catch fire.

Authorities say the home sustained serious damage, and two people are now displaced.

Neighbors say they heard odd noises just prior to the explosion.

“My neighbor said that he was on his back deck…he heard this hiss,” said Susan DeFusco.

“[Neighbors] just said that his face was burned, and the side of this face and that he was screaming for help and they went to help him, and then he went into shock,” DeFusco continued. “A car comes speeding down the street, like a white car, I don’t know who it was. Then the fire trucks and the ambulances, and then they just kept coming.”

It took several hours for the flames to be put out.

At this time, the Department does not know the extent of the driver’s injuries.

ABC6 reached out to Suburban Propane, and the company sent the following statement:

At Suburban Propane, the safety and security of our employees, customers and local communities is our utmost priority. We are fully cooperating with the local authorities on this matter, and are unable to comment further at this time due to the ongoing investigation. Our valued team member was taken to the local hospital for observation. We are sending him our best wishes for a speedy recovery.