Propane Tank Explodes at Central Florida Fairgrounds

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on August 14, 2017

This past Sunday afternoon, while Florida residents and tourists alike were enjoying the weather and the festivities at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, an incident occurred that changed the atmosphere from one of celebration to that of alarm. The Orlando Police Department issued a statement on the incident that provides details into the case. According to their report, Pierre Dadaille and his wife, Meguydeline Dessource, were at the fairgrounds in parked Kia Sorento that they rented from an undisclosed location. In the back of the SUV, Dadaille and Dessource had placed a propane grill, although the report does not state whether or not the grill was inside of the car or sitting on the ground outside.

What is known is that the propane tank feeding the grill was sitting in the back of the car. The couple had started the grill and the propane was flowing freely from the tank. This was around 3:30 in the afternoon, and it is likely that the couple planned to prepare a meal of hamburgers and hotdogs for themselves. Unfortunately, their plan was interrupted when, due to reasons that are currently under investigation, the propane tank exploded.

Due to the explosion and the resulting fire, the car was nearly destroyed. A Chevrolet parked close to the Kia also received damage, although the Orlando Police Department’s report does not make clear how badly the Chevy suffered in the explosion. More importantly, both Dadaille and Dessource were rushed to a nearby hospital where, during admittance, they were described as suffering from third-degree burns and injuries that were not life-threatening.

The Orlando Police Department’s report goes on to indicate that statements from Dadaille and Dessource provide confusing and contradictory information regarding the possible cause of the explosion. Initially, Dadaille told police officers that the propane tank ignited just after Dessource lit a cigarette. Later, he amended his statement by saying that, rather than lighting a cigarette, Dessource had simply placed a cigarette lighter on the dashboard of the car. For her part, Dessource denied having lit a cigarette at all in the moments leading up to the explosion.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.