Three family members sustain severe injuries in an RV explosion in Peabody, while the Thompson Fire in Butte County leads to the evacuation of 13,000 residents amid escalating firefighting challenges.
On Tuesday, a fire and subsequent explosion of a recreational vehicle (RV) on Walker Road in Peabody resulted in severe injuries to three family members: a grandfather, a son, and a grandson. Peabody Fire Chief Jay Dowling indicated that the family members were working on the RV when the fire ignited. The grandson was hospitalized at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington and released the same night. The grandfather and son were reported in stable condition at Massachusetts General Hospital’s burn unit. The cause of the explosion is under investigation, though it is not suspected to be intentional, according to state fire marshal spokesperson Jake Wark.
In another incident in Northern California, the Thompson Fire started around noon on Tuesday in Butte County, near Oroville, approximately 70 miles north of Sacramento. By Wednesday morning, the wildfire had expanded to nearly 5 square miles and was 0% contained, forcing the evacuation of at least 13,000 residents. The fire has caused significant damage, although no injuries have been reported. The extreme heat, with temperatures soaring over 100 degrees, has exacerbated firefighting efforts. Governor Gavin Newsom’s office confirmed the approval of federal funding to assist in containment efforts.
