CHESTERTOWN, Md. — A man and his pet are dead after a Valentine's Day home explosion on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
It happened around 6pm on Pentridge Lane, just off Broadneck Road in Chestertown.
According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal, six residents were inside at the time. All but one escaped.
The body of Charles William Heaps, 68, was later discovered underneath several layers of debris.
Heaps is a longtime member of Ducks Unlimited, a non-profit wetlands conservation organization that restores and manages habitats for North American waterfowl.
"The Ducks Unlimited family is deeply saddened by the sudden and shocking loss of Chip Heaps," Rich Smith, the organization's Chief Development Officer, told WMAR-2 News. "Chip worked for Ducks Unlimited for 30 years and had been serving as an active volunteer for even longer – 37 years. He leaves behind an enduring legacy of conservation thanks to his immense passion for DU’s mission. It’s no exaggeration to state that his decades of dedicated service have helped DU conserve millions of acres of habitat. His impact was real and meaningful, and the significant positive relationships he forged with our supporters immeasurable."
Heaps is survived by his wife Patti, their children, and grandchildren, all of whom were in a separate area of the house when the explosion occurred, allowing them to safely escape.
Investigators believe Heaps was operating near a wood stove at the time.
"While the exact cause remains under investigation, the explosion and subsequent fire are believed to have been triggered by an unspecified ignition source, including propane vapors and an electrical event," the Fire Marshal said.
The explosion caused about $2 million in damage.
"The home is considered a total loss," added the Fire Marshal.
Since area creeks and ponds were iced over, more than 100,000 gallons of water was used from the domestic water system in Chestertown, per the local fire department.
Also, as crews were winding down, there was a nearby water main break in the 100 block of Flatland Road.
As result some residents may have noticed temporary water discoloration.
Chestertown utility workers were dispatched to make emergency repairs.
