by Alan McArthur
Landmark reporter
An accidental propane explosion occurred at the Travelodge along Prairie View Road in Platte City on Monday, Oct. 13.
The explosion happened around 7:30 p.m. in the trailer lot behind the motel.
According to Richard Sayles, police chief, James Raymond Gooch, 32, of Sedalia, was attempting to cook dinner on a propane stove and could not figure out why the stove was not warming up. The police report says the man figured out after a few minutes that the stove was not lit and attempted to light the stove. The propane caught fire and exploded burning Gooch's arms, face and hands.
According to Sayles, NRAD was called but he was unsure whether the man was taken to the hospital.
The report stated Gooch had hair on his chest, face, head, and arms singed.
