EMT Charged in Fire That Killed Fellow Worker
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MOUNT CARMEL, Pa. — An emergency medical technician was charged with involuntary manslaughter Friday, accused of causing a deadly explosion by rolling an open propane tank into the squad building as a prank.
Damian Ober, 22, was “messing around” with six other workers in a lounge at the center Oct. 23 when he walked outside, opened the valve of a propane tank and carried it into the building, said police Lt. Blaine Handerhan.
Gas spread throughout the room and the workers evacuated, but 24-year-old David Womer remained inside, working in a computer room. He was killed when the pilot light of a natural gas heater ignited the fumes, causing a fire that destroyed the building.
“We are assuming he was unaware of danger,” Handerhan said.
Ober was also charged with reckless endangerment and causing a catastrophe. He was freed on $5,000 bail.
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