BATH

The state is disputing claims that a heating unit was replaced in a duplex before a violent pre-dawn explosion that killed a Bath woman.

Sgt. Kenneth Grimes of the state fire marshal’s office said the propane heater was not replaced in Dale Ann Fussell’s apartment prior to a propane-fueled explosion that killed her on Feb. 12.

“It’s not true,” Grimes said Wednesday when asked if someone had replaced the Monitor heater, in response to Fussell’s claims that she smelled something.

Investigators have determined a propane leak caused gas to build up in the crawl space beneath the duplex at 29-31 Bluff Road. Something — investigators still haven’t revealed what — ignited the leaked propane and caused the building to blow up, killing Fussell.

Grimes announced Tuesday that the fire marshal’s office will not likely file criminal charges in the case, but his office has not filed a final report.

The fire marshal is awaiting information from the Oil and Solid Fuel Board before making a final determination. The Fuel Board focuses on regulatory issues such as supply, maintenance, records and technicians, he said.

Friends of Fussell have said she complained of a gas smell at her residence for several days prior to the fatal blast that killed her.

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