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Linda Synowczynski was killed in a Cape St. Claire house explosion caused by an accidental propane leak and a metal grinder.

Anne Arundel County fire officials have determined that an accidental propane leak caused a fatal house explosion in the Cape St. Claire neighborhood. Linda Synowczynski, 76, was killed in the blast on Green Holly Drive, while her husband, Stan Synowczynski, was rescued from the debris and remains in serious condition at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Investigators found that Stan Synowczynski was working on the home's HVAC system when he inadvertently cut a propane line. Because he had a diminished sense of smell, he did not notice the gas accumulating inside the house. The explosion occurred when he used a metal grinder, which provided the ignition source for the gas. The fire department clarified that the propane company, which had visited the home an hour before the incident, did not contribute to the explosion. Officials issued a safety reminder, noting that gas-related work should be performed by qualified professionals and that residents should not rely solely on odor detection to identify leaks.

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