Two people were hospitalized after fire destroyed their trailer camper Tuesday in Shawnee State Park Campground at Lake Roosevelt.

Steve and Amy Goodson of McDermott, in their 50s, had just pulled in and got set up and were apparently preparing for dinner about 5:30 p.m. when an explosion and subsequent fire occurred, according to Chris Grupenhof, manager of Shawnee State Park.

"It's still under investigation, but Steve Goodson said he was attempting to light the gas cook stove when there was an explosion," Grupenhof said. "Both he and his wife got out, thankfully, but they were both burned, pretty severely. There was evidently a propane leak."

Park Officer Mike Moore responded immediately after the park attendant called park headquarters on the radio.

"He rendered first aid," Gropenhof said of Moore. "I was there to do what I could. The Nile Township Volunteer Fire Department rescue squad treated the two. The Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department also arrived. The fire was extinguished but the camper was a heap of ruins."

Life Ambulance and the King's Daughters' Medical Center medical helicopter transported the couple to regional hospitals. Steve Goodson was taken to Ohio State University Medical Center and Amy Goodson was taken to Cabell Huntington Hospital.

No report on their condition was available at press time.

G. SAM PIATT can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 236.