Clinton Home Explosion: Victims Identified In Explosion That Destroyed Mobile Home

CLINTON, CT — In a Thursday afternoon update, Clinton Police have identified the victims of the early morning propane explosion that destroyed a mobile home as Leo Hinkley, 64, and his wife Candace Hinkley, 61. Both were airlifted to Bridgeport Hospital with severe burns and traumatic injuries. They are currently listed as being in critical condition and serious condition, respectively, according to police.

UPDATE: Victim In Home Explosion Dies From Injuries: Clinton Police

At about 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 21, Clinton’s Emergency Communications Center began receiving calls reporting a loud explosion and a home being shaken. Within minutes, the call center was “inundated with calls reporting the same thing” from multiple areas of town, according to police.

Then at about 12:34 a.m., dispatchers received a call that said there was a fire at the Evergreen Park Complex on Killingworth Turnpike. Emergency crews responded to the area and found that a mobile home had “been completely destroyed by an explosion,” police said. (To sign up for Clinton breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Two individuals were extricated from the burning wreckage and were transported with serious injuries to Bridgeport Hospital via Life Star helicopter. Responders from Old Saybrook, Madison and Killingworth also responded to assist as “the effects of the blast were felt for miles,” police said.

The Clinton Volunteer Fire Company extinguished the fire, secured the debris field and inspected surrounding structures, according to police. Large amounts of debris were propelled from the blast site and were hanging high in tree limbs, creating a safety hazard, police said.

In a Thursday night update, Sgt. Jeremiah Dunn said the origin and cause of the propane explosion remains under investigation by the state and local Fire Marshals and the Clinton Police Department.

“However, the investigators have definitively determined, that this explosion was NOT caused by a propane cylinder exploding either inside or outside the residence,” Dunn said in an email. “It was requested this information be made public by the local Fire Marshal as there has been a dramatic increase in citizens’ concerns today over residential propane usage.

“The local Fire Marshal also recommends that anyone who has reason to believe their propane tanks and or appliances are not operating correctly, to immediately vacate the area in question and contact 911 and your propane service provider immediately.”

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