Fifth person dies in W.Va. convenience store blast

GHENT, W.Va. (AP) _ A fifth person injured in a propane blast died Wednesday, a day after the explosion destroyed a convenience store. <br/><br/>State Fire Marshall Sterling Lewis identified the victim

Wednesday, January 31st 2007, 3:09 pm

By: News On 6

GHENT, W.Va. (AP) _ A fifth person injured in a propane blast died Wednesday, a day after the explosion destroyed a convenience store.

State Fire Marshall Sterling Lewis identified the victim as the manager of the Flat Top Little General Store, which was reduced to a pile of splintered debris, twisted metal and a sign showing the price of gasoline.

The explosion occurred as emergency workers were investigating a report of a propane leak. Authorities believe the gas fumes drifted into the store, where they somehow were ignited, Lewis said.

Tuesday's blast also killed a volunteer firefighter, a building inspector and two other people in this rural community about 70 miles southeast of Charleston.

The store manager was identified as Donna Meadows, 45, of Cool Ridge. The other victims were Frederick A. Burroughs, 51, of Ghent; Craig Lawrence Dorsey, 24, of McArthur; and Glen Ray Bennett, 44, and Jeffrey Lee Treadway, 21, both of Beckley.

Four other people were hospitalized with burns and other injuries.