SHERIDAN — An explosion and fire early Friday morning destroyed a motorhome southwest of Sheridan at 7080 Frank Road which runs between Blanchard and Red Prairie roads in Polk County.

Sheridan Fire Chief Terry Ney gave this account:

Firefighters were dispatched about 2:30. Neighbor Holly Smith said she heard an explosion and went to the door of the 1986 Winnebago. She assisted David Hostetler, 51, of Lebanon, out of the smoke-filled unit. He was sleeping at the time. Then Smith called 911 and reported the motorhome had just exploded. Neither Hostetler nor Smith were injured.

When the first firefighters arrived, they found the unit fully engulfed and flames spreading through dry grass and into Christmas trees. The blaze was brought under control about 3, 18 minutes following the arrival of the first firefighters.

The incident went to two alarms. The Sheridan and West Valley (Willamina) fire districts responded with seven pieces of equipment and 18 firefighters. The Amity Fire District covered the Sheridan main station.

There was a propane-fueled refrigerator in the unit, and a possible cause of the fire is a small propane leak.

Hostelter said the motorhome was not licensed or insured. There is no estimate of damage to the unit and contents.