By Editor
Emergency personnel responded to the site of an explosion and fire which injured two men on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 3880 Rocky Springs Road in Hiddenite.
The explosion occurred about 11:06 a.m. in a garage building at Triple T Farms. The sliding garage doors were blown several feet away from the structure by the blast, said Hiddenite Fire Chief Scott Mitchell.
Upon arrival, first responders confirmed a working fire in a garage and two male patients with burn injuries to their faces. Both men were airlifted to Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem. Alexander County Fire Marshal Mark Earle identified the injured men as Tommy Chatham and adult son Trevor Chatham.
Earle said Tommy Chatham suffered burns to his face, hands, and neck. Trevor Chatham suffered burns to his face that were less severe than those of his father.
Witnesses told Earle that the father and son were working on a propane tank for a forklift. The fire investigation determined the explosion resulted from an accidental fire caused by a ceiling-mounted propane heater with thermostatic control, used to provide heat for the structure.
Once the propane heater ignited the pilot light, it caused a vapor explosion from the buildup of residual vapors escaping from the forklift propane tank, Earle related.
Responding agencies included Hiddenite Fire Department, Vashti Fire Department, Central Alexander/Taylorsville Fire Department, Alexander County EMS, Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, Stony Point Fire Department, and Alexander County Fire Marshal’s Office. The NC Office of the State Fire Marshal and NC SBI assisted.