Cause of Dartmouth House Explosion That Left One Man with Serious Burns Remains Under Investigation
DARTMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS (September 3, 2025) – At least one person was seriously injured in a home explosion accident in Dartmouth along Sagamore Drive.
Bristol County officials are saying that the explosion took place around 1:00 AM on Tuesday. Dartmouth police, firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene to help the victims.
By the time they got to the home, the garage was fully ablaze. One woman and two children were able to escape from the blast unharmed, but a man was seriously injured and transported to St. Luke’s Hospital.
The blast was captured on a neighbor’s Ring doorbell. One neighbor described the incident and said it was like a bomb going off.
County officials are saying that the home was likely a total loss after the accident. A full investigation into the cause of the explosion remains ongoing at this time.
Common Causes of Massachusetts Home Explosions
Natural gas leaks remain one of the leading causes of home explosions and fires in the United States. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “During 2018–2022, there was an estimated annual average of 15,941 reported structure fires where the material in the item first ignited was a flammable gas. These fires caused an estimated 191 civilian deaths, 747 civilian injuries, and $402 million in property damage each year.” Other factors could contribute to a home explosion.
- Electrical Failures: Faulty wiring or overloaded circuits could spark flammable vapors and contribute to a home explosion.
- Appliances: Defective furnaces or boilers could cause pressure to build up to dangerous levels and cause explosions.
- Chemical Hazards: Another common cause of home explosions is heat sources being too close to combustible materials and chemicals.
- Lithium-Ion Batteries: The lithium-ion batteries in devices like electric bikes and scooters could overheat and lead to a chain reaction event known as thermal runaway.
It is important that all home explosions are properly investigated. Once the cause of a home explosion has been determined, all relevant evidence should be preserved and stored in a secure location. Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for any incident where a person is injured in a home explosion.
Legal Liability for Home Explosions
If a home explosion was initiated by a natural gas leak, the company that supplied gas to the home could face liability for the incident. Gas companies have a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. When a gas company has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with their lines, they must take action. There are a number of ways that a gas company may have failed to adequately prevent a natural gas explosion.
- Inspection Failures: Natural gas companies must routinely inspect and maintain their lines. If a gas company fails to regularly inspect the lines, this could lead to leaks, corrosion, or other damage that could contribute to an explosion.
- Response Failures: Natural gas companies may have been alerted to a gas leak by the residence of a home or first responders and nonetheless failed to remedy the issue in a timely manner.
- Compliance Failures: A natural gas company may have failed to comply with federal and state regulations for maintaining their gas lines and equipment.
No matter what may have caused a Massachusetts home explosion, certain parties could bear liability for the incident if negligence was involved. Negligence is the failure to use reasonable care necessary to prevent an accident.
Any person injured in such an incident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. In these situations, it is best to consult with an experienced Boston premises liability lawyer.
Our Law Firm is Investigating Dartmouth Home Explosions
We at DiBella Law extend our best wishes to the family affected by this horrific incident in Dartmouth. It is our sincere hope that the man injured in this explosion will be able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have more information should reach out to the Dartmouth Fire Marshal.
There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence. Our team of highly experienced premises liability attorneys are here to assist you in any way we can. We are committed to helping victims get the medical and financial compensation that they need to put their lives back on track. Whether you have legal questions or need a risk-free investigation into any particular incident, we are here for you. You can contact our office anytime for your free case evaluation.