ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. (February 24, 2015) – Deputy State Fire Marshal’s are investigating the cause of an accidental flash fire inside a vehicle during the transport of a 20 lb propane tank. Margaret Reese, 47, and Stacy Goode, 37, were returning home at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 23, when the incident occurred inside the 2004 Jeep Liberty.
The flash fire caused both women 1st and 2nd degree burns to their upper torsos, arms and faces. Goode got out of the vehicle and performed stop, drop, and roll techniques to extinguish the flames on her person and waited for an ambulance in the area of 21726 Great Mills Road while Reese continued to her home approximately a ½ mile away at 21436 Ritz Drive in Lexington Park to tend to the children that were alone at her dwelling.
Both victims were treated by EMS staff from the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department and Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad before being flown by MSP Aviation to MedStar Burn Center where they were treated and released for non-life threatening burn injuries.
The specific cause for the flash fire remains under investigation at this time. The vehicle received an estimated $1,500 in damage to the interior.
Source: Office of Maryland State Fire Marshal