One Injured in Washington Propane Tank Explosion
Source Yakima Herald-Republic, Wash.
EAST VALLEY, Wash. -- A quick response limited damage from a propane tank fire at All American Propane on South Keys Road on Monday morning, firefighters say.
Chief George Spencer of the East Valley Fire Department said firefighters arrived within just a few minutes of the 8:49 a.m. alarm and were able to stop the fire from spreading from a shop where it was concentrated. Firefighters protected an adjacent storage building as well as large, nearby propane tanks.
Spencer said one worker was taken to a city hospital by private vehicle after suffering cold thermal burns from coming in contact with the propane, which converts to a liquid when frozen. More information was not available about his condition but the injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
Spencer said the 500-gallon tank that started the fire was being moved on a forklift at the time of the incident, which caused black smoke to billow from the area.
The tank may have been damaged during the move or while the valve was being manipulated. The tank was considered empty, but apparently had enough propane left for the gas to travel toward the shop on the wind, Spencer said.
The gas apparently encountered a flame or other ignition source at the shop, causing the fire, Spencer said.
Once the fire was contained, several other tanks that caught fire in the shop were allowed to burn. Although there was an initial explosion from an unspecified source, the tanks are designed to safely vent gas without exploding.
State Route 24, which sits just south of the business at 1617 S. Keys Road, was temporarily closed until the fire was brought under control.
Firefighters finished at the scene in about three hours. Firefighters from Yakima, Union Gap, the Yakima Training Center, Selah, Gleed and West Valley helped on the call.
Spencer said residents often report possible fires at the propane distribution business -- where employees burn off fuel from used tanks -- but a significant fire has not happened recently.
Copyright 2012 - Yakima Herald-Republic, Wash.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
