Explosion Rips Through Motel Killing Two

An explosion partially destroyed a motel Friday, killing two people and shooting flames and smoke into the air.

It was not known exactly how many people were inside the Lilac Falls Motel in this southeastern New Hampshire town near the Maine border. About 20 of the 30 units at the one-story motel were rented at the start of the Labor Day weekend, Fire Chief Mark Dellner said.

Authorities did not identify the dead, nor did they say if they were guests or employees at the motel. No injuries were reported.

Several witnesses said they smelled gas, though Dellner said propane tanks in the rear of the motel were not destroyed.