JOHN CURRAN
Associated Press Writer

HARDWICK, Vt. - An explosion and fire ripped through a machine shop Tuesday, seriously injuring the lone occupant, who was thrown out of the building and suffered severe burns, police and fire officials said.


The blast felled a cinderblock exterior wall, caused an interior wall to buckle and set off several small fires at Maple Grove Machine Shop. The cause was likely related to the building's propane supply, according to Detective Sgt. Jeremy Hill of the Vermont State Police.

"It was just a big ball of fire and a bunch of stuff flying through the air," said Ray Salls, 66, who was standing in his driveway across the street when it happened.

The small one-story frame building formerly housed Buck Lake Guns and Ammo, but it was no longer in business and had no ammunition inside when the explosion occurred.

"He did have some guns and ammo in it but he took 'em out. He was remodeling," said Hardwick Fire Chief Ron Bellavance.

Bruce Putvain, 62, who owns the building and the shop, was the only person inside at the time. The explosion threw him into the street. Putvain suffered severe burns on his upper body and face, but Salls said he saw him return to the building and use a bucket of water to try to put out flames in the office area.

Putvain was taken to Copley Hospital in Morrisville and later transferred to Fletcher Allen Health Care, where he was listed in stable condition.

Firefighters from Hardwick and Greensboro took about 45 minutes to put out the fires. Damage was estimated at $20,000.

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