Propane Fire Rattles Bessemer, Alabama Residents

Dec. 15, 2004
An explosion at a Bessemer propane storage facility Tuesday night nearly resulted in evacuations before firefighters brought the flames under control.
BESSEMER, Ala. (AP) -- An explosion at a Bessemer propane storage facility Tuesday night nearly resulted in evacuations before firefighters brought the flames under control.

A spark from a tanker unloading propane at Ferrellgas about 7:45 p.m. set off a series of blasts as the fire spread through the facility.

No serious injuries were reported, though a Ferrellgas worker was being treated at the scene for a minor shoulder injury.

Residents miles away said they saw flames shooting into the area, and those who were closer said the explosions rattled windows.

Bessemer Fire Capt. Jeff Lowe said the fire was under control within an hour, and evacuations were canceled about five minutes after they began.

He said the first truck was filling 33-pound cylinders when the fire began, possibly due to a propane spark.

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