December 1, 1999

Woman survives explosion

       A 33-year-old Greenwood-area woman lost her mobile home in an explosion Tuesday afternoon but escaped with minor injuries. Bonnie Campbell was treated and released from Wishard Hospital with minor burns to her face and upper body. She apparently was spraying the trailer for cockroaches, and a pilot light ignited the insecticide, causing an explosion.  “It shook my whole trailer,” said Paula Wilson, who lived a block from Campbell in the Friendly Village Trailer Park in White River Township on West County Line Road.  Another neighbor, Sandra Stone said she was one of several residents who called 911 about 1:45 p.m.  “I just ran over there real fast,” Stone said. “She was hollering for help.”  Paula McKenzie said she was first to arrive at the trailer and waited with Campbell until White River Township firefighters and emergency workers arrived.  McKenzie said the explosion threw Campbell from the kitchen into the living room and onto her back. She said Campbell ran from the trailer and collapsed outside.  As the pair waited for the ambulance to arrive, McKenzie said Campbell wanted to get up and enter the trailer. McKenzie said she urged Campbell to remain still, in case any bones were broken.  The explosion blew out the windows, and the corrugated metal walls were separated from the roof in the center of the trailer. Pink fiberglass insulation was visible above the front door and in the rear of the trailer.  If the explosion had occurred 45 minutes later, the glass and other debris could have injured dozens of children as they returned home from school, sheriff’s Deputy Rick Shipp said. He said children pass right by Campbell’s trailer as they exit the bus.  White River Township Fire Chief Mike Dutton said people should carefully read the directions before spraying for bugs.  Local Red Cross officials were seeking temporary housing for Campbell on Tuesday afternoon.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

  
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