An upstate New York couple, Barbara and Robert Hamlin, ages 74 and 75 respectively, experienced a terrifying incident on Monday morning when their camper exploded. The day started like any other for the Hamlins, but they soon found themselves in the midst of chaos and danger.

At around 10:54 a.m., the couple woke up to a strong smell of gas inside their camper. Robert, quick to identify the potential source of the gas, suspected that his wife, Barbara, had inadvertently turned on the camper's stove. Unfortunately, his assumption would soon be proven right in the most catastrophic way possible.

A panicked 911 call reporting an explosion brought state police in Lafayette to the scene. When they arrived, emergency fire personnel were already at work, desperately trying to clear out the back of the camper to locate Barbara. In a twist of fate, Robert had been standing outside the camper when the explosion occurred, and the force of the blast knocked him to the ground. He suffered visible burn injuries to his face, an agonizing reminder of the devastating power of the explosion.

Inside the camper, Barbara had not emerged unscathed either. She suffered a fracture in her left ankle but remained conscious when the first responders reached her. The scene was one of destruction, with the explosion causing significant damage not only to the camper but also to the surrounding area. The couple's home, where they had parked their camper, and their Chevy Silverado 2500 had also suffered substantial harm.

In the midst of the chaos, Robert revealed a critical detail that could explain the cause of the explosion. He admitted that they had left their propane tanks open overnight, allowing gas to flood the camper. This revelation shed light on a potentially dangerous practice that had dire consequences for the couple.

The camper, once a source of joy and adventure for the Hamlins, was now a twisted wreck, its back end blown open by the force of the explosion. Emergency responders wasted no time in rushing Barbara and Robert to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse for immediate medical attention. Although both suffered non-life-threatening injuries, their ordeal was far from over.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) provided startling statistics regarding propane tank explosions. Patty Davis of the CPSC disclosed to Fox News Digital that between 2020 and 2022, approximately 2,100 emergency room admissions were recorded, averaging 700 admissions per year. This figure represented an increase from previous years, indicating a concerning upward trend. However, it is worth noting that these numbers are only estimates based on a sample and may not account for all incidents, as some may not result in emergency room visits.

The CPSC relies on the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a tool used by emergency rooms to report any consumer product-related admissions, allowing the commission to track such incidents. Despite the rise in incidents, Davis could not speculate on the reasons for the increase or the specific causes of these explosions.

Another significant piece of information came from the Department of Energy, which reported that the probability of dying from a propane tank explosion is approximately one in 37 million. This statistic provided some reassurance, suggesting that such incidents, while alarming, are relatively rare.

LEVCO, an oil and propane company based in Connecticut, shed light on the safety mechanisms in place to prevent explosions. According to their blog, bringing a propane tank to the point of explosion is an incredibly challenging task due to these safety devices. The two main causes of explosions are leaving the tank open, as the Hamlins had done, or the pressure inside the tank becoming too high to safely vent, resulting in a burst.

The pressure issue, known as a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion, occurs when the tank is exposed to extreme heat, causing the liquid inside to expand rapidly. This information highlights the importance of responsible propane tank usage and the potential dangers associated with mishandling or neglecting safety precautions.

The Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education added further insight, revealing that approximately 47 million households in the United States use propane for outdoor gas grilling alone. Additionally, a 2017 report indicated that around 830,000 farms in the U.S. rely on propane for various tasks, such as crop drying and milk sterilization. These figures serve as a reminder of the widespread use of propane and the need for vigilance in ensuring its safe handling.

For the Hamlins, what began as a routine day turned into a nightmare they will never forget. Their camper, once a symbol of freedom and adventure, now lay in ruins. As they recuperate in the hospital from their injuries, they serve as a cautionary tale, urging others to exercise caution when handling propane tanks and to prioritize safety above all else.