Granville, VT (September 7, 2026) – Two people died and three others were injured when a home exploded in Granville on Saturday night on Connecticut Trail, according to Vermont State Police. The explosion was reported around 7:45 p.m. September 5, while one of the victims was celebrating a birthday.
Liam O’Sullivan, 20, was pronounced dead at the scene. His mother, Sarah O’Sullivan, 46, both of Essex Junction, was taken to Gifford Medical Center in Randolph, where she later died. Three other adults were hospitalized, one with critical injuries and two with minor injuries.
The Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Field Force Division, and Victim Services Unit responded, along with the Division of Fire Safety and the Granville Volunteer Fire Department. Investigators determined the explosion was accidental, caused by a propane leak in the home.
Our condolences go out to the O’Sullivan family and loved ones.
Why Are Propane Leaks Capable of Causing Such Powerful Explosions?
Propane is heavier than air, which means a leak inside an enclosed space like a home can accumulate near the floor rather than dispersing quickly the way some other gases might. Given enough time, this buildup can reach a concentration where even a small spark, from an appliance, light switch, or pilot light, is enough to ignite it.
Because propane burns with significant energy, an ignition in a confined space can generate a shockwave capable of causing extensive structural damage almost instantly. This is part of why an explosion of this kind can affect an entire home rather than staying contained to one room or area.
Investigators typically examine gas lines, appliances, and any recent maintenance work to pinpoint exactly where a leak originated. This kind of detailed review helps determine both the cause and whether any preventive steps might have identified the leak before it became dangerous.
