MONTROSE, Colo. – It was the kind of sound that makes people stop mid-sentence.

A loud blast echoed down East Main Street just after sunrise on Saturday, rattling windows and startling guests at the County Lodge Hotel. By the time first responders arrived, all that remained of the parked RV was a twisted shell of scorched metal and disbelief.

But by some stroke of luck—or grace—no one was inside when the explosion hit.

A Wake-Up Call Without Tragedy

The Montrose Police Department confirmed that an explosion involving a motorhome occurred around 7 a.m. on June 14 in the parking lot of the County Lodge at 1634 East Main Street.

Officers quickly cordoned off the scene while fire crews examined the wreckage.

“There was extensive damage to the RV itself, but thankfully, no surrounding vehicles or structures were affected,” said Chief of Police Blaine Hall. “Most importantly, no one was injured. The owners were not inside at the time.”

A fire investigation team later ruled the explosion accidental. Although the full report is still pending, early signs suggest that a propane system failure or a de-winterization oversight may be to blame.

A Quiet Morning, Interrupted

Guests at the lodge described a brief moment of panic as the morning’s calm was shattered.

“I was just pouring coffee when it went off,” said William Traynor, who was staying at the hotel with his wife and young son. “We ran outside thinking something hit the building. Then we saw the RV—it was just… gone.”

Hotel staff acted swiftly, checking on guests and reassuring families. “Our first priority was safety,” said manager Sonia Vasquez. “Once we knew everyone was okay, we were just thankful it wasn’t worse.”

A Cautionary Message from Authorities

Though the damage was contained and no injuries occurred, officials are treating the incident as a critical reminder of the risks associated with RV ownership—especially after the winter months.

Chief Hall emphasized the importance of safe seasonal maintenance.

“We’re urging RV owners to take extra care during de-winterization,” he said. “Propane lines, heating systems, and ventilation must be checked thoroughly. One overlooked detail can lead to serious consequences.”

He added, “We dodged a bullet here. But that’s not always the case.”

What Is RV De-Winterization?

For those unfamiliar, de-winterizing is the process of getting an RV ready for spring or summer after it’s been idle during colder months. It involves:

• Flushing antifreeze from plumbing systems

• Testing gas lines for leaks

• Recharging batteries

• Checking propane appliances

• Ensuring ventilation and seals are intact

A single missed step—particularly involving gas lines—can lead to dangerous build-ups of propane or other flammable gases.

RV Safety by the Numbers

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), RV fires cause hundreds of injuries annually in the United States. Many are tied to:

• Faulty propane systems

• Electrical issues

• Overheated appliances or wiring

• Improper storage of flammable materials

Montrose has seen only a handful of RV-related incidents over the past decade, and Saturday’s explosion is now one of the most serious in recent memory—despite the absence of injuries.

Gratitude in the Aftermath

The RV’s owners, who were reportedly staying in a separate room at the lodge that night, declined to speak publicly but expressed relief through police channels.

“They were shaken up,” Hall said, “but mostly they’re just grateful no one was in the vehicle at the time. They told us they’d just returned to Montrose and hadn’t yet finished checking the gas system. Timing, in this case, may have saved lives.”

A Community Grounded in Vigilance

While Montrose isn’t known for big-city chaos, incidents like this serve as a quiet reminder that safety is never something to assume.

As RV tourism rises across Colorado—especially post-pandemic—so do the challenges for small-town fire departments and police teams.

“We’re seeing more and more seasonal travelers stop here,” said Officer Kelly Torres, who helped secure the site. “People think of RVs as second homes, and they are—but they come with their own rules, especially when it comes to fuel and electricity.”

Lessons Learned, and Shared

By Monday morning, the site had been cleared, and traffic resumed as usual on East Main. But conversations at local coffee shops still circled back to Saturday’s close call.

“I’ve got an RV,” said longtime resident Rick Harmon at the Montrose Diner. “You better believe I’m going to double-check those gas lines this weekend.”

And maybe that’s the point. No injuries. No deaths. Just a scorched RV—and a whole town reminded of the value of caution.