ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A 75-year-old man critically injured in the deadly Aug. 19 home explosion near Annapolis has died, marking the second fatality connected to the blast.
The Anne Arundel County Fire Department announced that Stanley Synowczynski, 75, died from his injuries on Aug. 27.
His wife, Linda Synowczynski, 76, died in the explosion.
Stanley Synowczynski had been critically injured when the couple’s home on Green Holly Drive in the Cape St. Claire community exploded and collapsed. Firefighters rescued him from beneath the debris before he was flown to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.
Fire investigators previously determined the explosion was accidental and was caused by a propane leak that ignited while work was being performed on the home’s HVAC system.
Investigators determined Stanley Synowczynski inadvertently cut a propane line while working inside the residence. The damaged line allowed propane to leak and accumulate inside the home without being detected.
While continuing the work, he reportedly used a metal grinder, which investigators identified as the ignition source.
The resulting spark ignited the accumulated propane and caused the explosion.
Family members previously told investigators that Synowczynski had a diminished sense of smell, which may have affected his ability to detect the odor associated with the leaking propane.
An Anne Arundel County police officer also suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries during the emergency response.
Investigators previously determined that a propane company that had been at the property earlier that day did not cause or contribute to the explosion.
The Fire Marshal Division ultimately classified the explosion as accidental.
“This is a tragic incident and our hearts go out to the family and friends of the Synowczynskis,” the Anne Arundel County Fire Department stated.
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