Report: Gas leak triggered Port Orchard home explosion

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. — The Kitsap County fire marshal said Wednesday he believes a propane gas leak that began in, under, or around the home's utility room is what caused a Port Orchard mobile home to explode. To read the report released Friday, blaming a propane leak.

The explosion and resulting fire killed William McDonald, 70, and Maria McDonald, 65, inside.

Key developments: 

• Explosion occurred in South Kitsap shortly after 4 am. Tuesday
• Remains of two people, husband & wife, found in the rubble
• Manufactured home leveled
• Collateral damage to surrounding homes, school
• Cause believed to be propane gas leak

Fire Marshal David Lynam said investigators are doing some testing on a gas pipe from that area.

Lynam said that the room, which contained a washer, dryer, water heater, and furnace, had a great deal of damage beneath it.

Lynam said many things could have ignited the propane.

“It can be just an automatic fan,” he said. “It might be a water heater turning back on. There’s a variety of ignition sources.”

As investigators pored over the debris, six miles away at St. Gabriel Church, family and friends honored the McDonalds.

“My heart is melting so hard for the whole family,” Julian Mendiola,

Maria’s second cousin said. He described them as people of deep faith, devoted to their five kids and many grandkids.

He said Bill was quiet and happy.

“Never see him get mad,” Mendiola said. “He's always smiling.”

Marylou Gogue attended high school with Maria in Guam.

She said Maria was a woman full of joy and love.

“Maria always said that she -- if Bill passed away, she wants to be with him,” Gogue said. “They loved each other so much.”

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Lynam says it's unclear why the McDonalds didn't smell the gas.

“But the real clue here is -- how did the propane come to leak?” he said. “How did it get there? And that’s what we’re really trying to figure out and then identify ignition sources.”

A funeral mass is being planned for the McDonald's at St. Gabriel Church in Port Orchard on March 5.

Cox Media Group