Bennington, VT News

Granville VT House Explosion: Propane Leak Kills 2, Injures 3

An internal propane leak caused a fatal house explosion in Granville, Vermont, killing Essex Junction residents Liam and Sarah O’Sullivan and injuring three others. State investigators confirmed the blast was accidental and ruled out any suspicious activity.

Published

2 hours ago

September 6, 2026

Randy Breland, Managing Editor

Debris from a house explosion in Granville, Vermont, with firefighters on the scene amid sn — Granville VT House Explosion

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Granville VT House Explosion: Propane Leak Kills 2, Injures 3

An internal propane leak caused a fatal house explosion in Granville, Vermont, killing Essex Junction residents Liam and Sarah O'Sullivan and injuring three others. State investigators confirmed the blast was accidental and ruled out any suspicious activity.

A rural blast shook the Addison County community of Granville over Labor Day weekend. For residents across southern Vermont, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of home heating dangers. Moreover, state officials confirmed Sunday that an internal propane leak triggered the deadly blast. Tragically, the explosion killed two people and left three others injured.

Why it matters

Many households across Vermont depend on propane systems every day. In addition, communities in Bennington, Manchester, and surrounding rural valleys share similar mountain infrastructure. When a fuel leak occurs inside a home, catastrophic results can follow quickly. Therefore, understanding what happened in Granville helps neighbors stay alert to potential hazards in their own homes.

What caused the propane leak explosion Granville Vermont home suffered?

State officials confirmed that an internal propane leak caused the blast on Connecticut Trail. In fact, the Vermont Department of Public Safety classified the explosion as accidental. The incident destroyed the rural home on Saturday evening. Consequently, the blast claimed two lives and left three other people injured.

Emergency calls first alerted dispatchers to the explosion at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. The private home sat along Connecticut Trail, just off Post Office Hill Road. Soon after, the Vermont Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit led the inquiry.

Investigators inspected the property through Sunday afternoon. Furthermore, they quickly ruled out any suspicious activity. Fuel had escaped from an internal line or appliance inside the structure. Then, the accumulated vapor ignited with immense force.

Who were the victims in the Addison County house explosion?

State police identified the deceased as Essex Junction residents Liam O’Sullivan, 20, and his mother, Sarah O’Sullivan, 46. Both victims died from blast-related injuries. Meanwhile, Shiela Hammond, 69, of Granville, suffered critical injuries. She remains hospitalized out of state, while two other adults sustained minor injuries.

Autopsies took place on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. Medical officials confirmed that blast-related trauma caused both deaths. First responders pronounced Liam O’Sullivan dead at the scene.

Crews rushed his mother, Sarah O’Sullivan, to Gifford Medical Center in Randolph. However, medical staff pronounced her dead shortly after arrival. The tragic losses shocked friends and relatives across Chittenden County and throughout the state.

Granville resident Shiela Hammond, 69, sustained severe injuries in the blast. First responders coordinated emergency transport for her. Currently, she remains in critical condition at an out-of-state hospital. Two other adults received medical care for minor injuries. Still, officials have not released their names to the public.

State police confirmed the following details regarding the victims:

Liam O’Sullivan, 20, of Essex Junction: pronounced dead at the scene.
Sarah O’Sullivan, 46, of Essex Junction: pronounced dead at Gifford Medical Center.
Shiela Hammond, 69, of Granville: hospitalized out of state in critical condition.
Two additional adults: treated at a regional hospital for minor injuries.

How did the Vermont State Police Granville investigation unfold?

Multiple emergency crews arrived quickly following reports of the Saturday evening blast. State police detectives, fire investigators, and Granville volunteer firefighters searched the debris. They evaluated blast patterns and fuel lines throughout Sunday. Officials confirmed the explosion was not suspicious and pointed directly to a propane leak.

The Vermont State Police dispatched multiple specialized divisions to the scene. These units included the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, the Field Force Division, and the Victim Services Unit. In addition, the Granville Volunteer Fire Department worked alongside the Vermont Division of Fire Safety.

However, crews faced significant logistical challenges in the rural hollow. State Police Major Steven Coote explained that cell phone service remains spotty in that part of Addison County. Therefore, first responders struggled with limited communication while directing emergency resources.

Emergency dispatchers also placed a medical helicopter from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center on standby. Meanwhile, ground crews navigated narrow roads to reach the victims.

What should rural homeowners know about propane safety?

Rural households across Vermont rely heavily on propane for heating and cooking during cooler months. Safety advocates urge residents to maintain active gas detectors and schedule routine equipment inspections. When anyone smells sulfur or rotten eggs, they must evacuate immediately. Then, they should call emergency dispatchers from a safe distance outside.

Propane remains an essential energy source for thousands of Vermonters from Bennington County to the Northeast Kingdom. Yet, propane vapor is heavier than air. Because of this physical property, leaking propane collects in low areas, basements, and floorboards. Consequently, small sparks from switches, pilots, or appliances can ignite the concentrated vapor.

Fire officials recommend three vital precautions for all homeowners:

Install dedicated propane and fuel gas detectors near floor levels.
Schedule annual professional inspections for all lines, tanks, and heating appliances.
Leave the building instantly if you detect the distinct odor of gas.

Never flip light switches or use phones inside a building with a suspected gas leak. Instead, reach fresh air before calling 911 or your local fuel supplier.