CARVER, Mass. (AP) – An explosion that destroyed a small house on property owned by the Edaville Railroad on Wednesday was blamed on a propane leak, state and local fire officials said.

The cottage-like home on Eda Avenue exploded at about 9:20 a.m. Two brothers who were renting it weren’t home at the time, fire officials said.

The leak was in the kitchen where the stove was fueled by propane, according to State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan. The most likely ignition source of the gas vapors was a water bubbler also located in the kitchen, Coan said.

Sailor charged in baby-dumping

GROTON, Conn. (AP) – An active duty sailor was arrested Wednesday in the abandonment of a her newborn boy last month in Groton.

Police charged Erin Robarge, 27, with abandonment of a child under six years and risk of injury. Robarge, who is stationed at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, was arrested after her release from Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, where she had been admitted shortly giving birth.

The baby was just hours old when it was discovered in an abandoned car about 5 a.m. on Aug. 30. He was in good condition and turned over to the custody of the state Department of Children and Families.





DOVER, N.H. (AP) – A week before the case was set to go to trial, prosecutors have dropped assault charges against two brothers accused of beating a third brother with a baseball bat in Madbury.

Half brothers John and Douglas Stokes were charged with accomplice to assault in the beating of Scott Skipper in January. He is John Stokes’ stepbrother and half brother of Douglas Stokes.

Prosecutor Eric Gentes said charges were dropped because authorities have not been able to find the victim.

and the case would be difficult to prove without him.

Jury selection was expe

cted to begin in Strafford County Superior Court next Tuesday.