A Monson family is left with nothing after their house explodes after a propane leak.

Smoke still rises from the rubble on Cote Road. Shattered glass, a cracked foundation and wood is everywhere. This is the aftermath of a Tuesday morning blast that injured two and leveled a home.

"It's complete devastation. It's crazy the amount of damage propane can do. Thank God everyone made it out alright. Just looking at the house and the destruction, it's amazing anybody can survive that," says witness George Mack.

Two people did survive. 23 year old Alan Bohdiewicz and 26 year old Mathew Quirk were both in the house when several explosions rocked it to it's core. Both were taken to local hospitals with leg injuries, and are expected to be ok.

The blast rattled the entire street, even killing a neighbors dog.

"I ran out to check the dog kennel and sure enough, he must have had a heart attack and passed away," Mack says.

Officials determined propane was to blame

"They did smell gas prior to the explosion," says Monson Fire Chief George Robichaud.

The same scene played out two weeks ago in Granby, CT as a propane blast critically injured three people.

Explosions without notice is something every homeowner fears.

"Propane, it's some bad stuff when it goes up like that," Mack says.

Here's some tips to make sure it doesn't happen to you.

To readily recognize a leak, know what propane smells like. Propane retailers have pamphlets available with a scratch-and-sniff spot so that your entire family can recognize the smell. Many times it will smell like rotten eggs. Propane leak detectors, similar to carbon monoxide detectors, are available. See your propane supplier to obtain one.

If you smell a leak, immediately evacuate everyone from the building and call your local propane supplier or the fire department from your neighbor's phone. DO NOT remain in the building, use the telephone or light switches or try to determine the source of the leak by yourself.

Be aware of where gas service lines are located, especially when working in your yard.

Water can damage the internal safety mechanism in the gas controls of an appliance. If you suspect that your appliance gas controls may have gotten wet (because of flooding, for example), have a trained technician replace them immediately.

Heating Appliances

All furnaces can collect lint and dirt and should be cleaned regularly. Contact your local propane supplier for information on proper cleaning, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Water Heaters

Drain your tank periodically (until water runs clean - usually 2 to 3 gallons) to get rid of sediment buildup on the bottom of the tank.

Ranges

Have your unit serviced if the burner flame is not blue. The blue flame indicates complete combustion. A yellow flame means air inlets are clogged or burners need adjustment. Contact your propane supplier's service department immediately. Do not cover the oven bottom with foil - it can restrict air circulation.

Never use gas ranges for home heating.

For more, log on to http://www.usepropane.com/consumer_safety/safety_large_html