Operations & Training

RV Explosion in Peabody, MA, Leaves Three Generations of Family Hurt

July 3, 2024

The grandfather, father and son were preparing the vehicle for a trip when the explosion occurred.

Preparations for a family trip to the Grand Canyon turned to a nightmare in Peabody Tuesday afternoon.

While three generations -- a grandfather, father and son -- were working on their RV, an explosion occurred.

"It was just engulfed in flames and it seemed like there was nothing you could do. We heard a big explosion. And, then I looked out the window and I just saw tons of smoke going up in the sky," John O'Donnell, whose home was shaken by the explosion, told WCVB.

The Peabody fire chief said the injured men in their 20s, 40s, and were talking and alert when they were taken to a hospital. Two were flown by medevac helicopters.

Neightbors said the family often took RV trips.

The cause of the blast that reduced the vehicle to a charred shell remains under investigation.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.