Report Cites Illegal Log Lighter As Cause Of Deadly OKC Home Explosion

An explosion that flattened a metro home, killing a teenage girl now has a cause. News 9's Ashley Holden has the story.

Monday, April 12th 2021, 5:41 pm



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An explosion that flattened a metro home, killing a teenage girl now has a cause.

A report obtained by News 9 said the blast, that happened back in September, was caused by an illegal log lighter.

Read: Neighbors Help Salvage Valuables From Rubble After OKC Home Explosion

The Oklahoma Liquefied Petroleum Gas Administration was the agency that put together the report.

It said their employees knew from a previous safety check that there were three appliances connected to gas. LPG state officer Nicholas Nadeau said he also found an "illegal" log lighter and the valve was "opened fully."

"I'm standing on my determination of illegal log lighter fully opened two and a half turns causing propane vapor build up in the house and walls," wrote Nadeau.

The report said this happened two and a half to three hours before the explosion and could only occur through human interaction. Nadeau said since he wasn't able to interview the family, he couldn't determine the ignition source.

Related: Community Offers Support After Deadly OKC Home Explosion; Victims Identified

News 9 did speak one-on-one with Shawn and Tanda Maguire just two months after the blast. Shawn said he just went to make a cup of coffee.

“I pressed the button, and all hell broke loose," said Shawn. "I felt like I was flying, and I was buried alive."

News 9 reached out to LP Gas and Nadeau to see if they could walk our crew through the report. They said administrators were discussing the request with their legal team.

News 9 also reached out to the Maguire family, but they said they cannot talk about the report at this moment. Their attorney said there's still an ongoing investigation.

Unfortunately, a young life, their 14-year-old daughter, was lost in all of this and they are still devastated. Right now, the family said community support and faith has carried them through this.

Read: Local Family Stands On Faith In Wake Of Deadly Home Explosion

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