Deadly Grantham
explosion probed

GRANTHAM—Officials said it will likely take months to determine the flash-point that sparked a deadly propane explosion at a paddle tennis court Sunday.

The 2 p.m. explosion killed one man and injured three others.

State Deputy Fire Marshal William Degnan said the investigation narrowed the scope of the inquiry to a propane leak. There was “a considerable amount of propane built up under that deck,” which caused the fatal explosion, he said.

The court’s underground 500-gallon propane tank was undisturbed during the explosion, Degnan said.

James M. Owen, 64, of Shore Road, a resident of the Eastman resort complex, was killed. Owen was operating his own snowblower on the courts, owned by the Eastman Community Association, with three other men when the explosion rocked the neighborhood near the clubhouse at The Center at Eastman.

Last night, Morton Shea, 68, of Turnbuckle Road, was listed in serious condition with multiple fractures at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, while Anthony Crecca, 61, of Azore Bay, was listed in fair condition at the same hospital with multiple fractures.

Robert Kessler, 64, of Morninghollow Lane was treated at the scene and released.

The stand-alone aluminum court was in the woods, next to a parking lot. It was about 4 feet off the ground, with a 60-by-30-foot platform and was surrounded by a 12-foot fence. It weighed 8,000 pounds, according to the manufacturer’s literature.

The association had acquired the court about three years ago from R.J. Reilly Platform Tennis Courts of Brewster, N.Y. Calls to the company yesterday were not returned.

About 20 percent smaller than a traditional tennis court, it is designed for winter use. It had a heated composite surface to keep snow melting during play. But the propane-fed system, officials said, is not designed for removal of huge snow packs. To do that, shoveling is necessary, and the court has specialized doors to shovel snow and leaves out.

On Sunday more than 20 inches of snow was on the surface. Owen brought his snowblower to do the job faster. There were some reports that the snowblower may have hit something, causing a spark.

Degnan said the spark could have come from the snowblower, from static electricity or from some electrical switch, but that will take some time to determine.

There was sufficient propane buildup, he said, to force the decks skyward, and vault two of the men and the snowblower over the 12-foot fence.

Mark Hayward Sr., president of MJ Hayward Mechanical/Electrical Services Inc. of Lebanon, said his company made a service call to the court more than a month ago, but he said he was not sure of the nature of the call.

Degnan said he will investigate reports that a propane leak was smelled near the court recently.

Degnan said it is possible that the snow helped insulate the propane under the deck, adding to its explosive force once ignited.

Yesterday the metal deck of the court was in three pieces, points protruding in the air.

The four men were acting as volunteers for the association when the explosion occurred about 2 p.m. Sunday.

Bob Seavey, Grantham Fire Chief said a neighbor reported the explosion and within minutes there were five EMS and firemen on the scene. After initially stabilizing the three injured men, a line search of the woods found Owen in the snow, 15 to 20 feet outside the fenced but open-air court. His snowblower was found within about 10 feet, Seavey said.

Owen died at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. An autopsy by the state’s medical examiner was ordered and performed yesterday, but results were not released.

Degnan said a full report could not be expected for several months or more.