On July 22, 2007 at 1826 hours, with temperatures in the mid-90’s, Missoula Rural Fire District received a 911 dispatch for a gas line rupture south of Lolo. 2 engines, a water tender and the Battalion Chief responded. BC 310 arrived on scene at 1830 hours and was met with a strong smell of propane. Law enforcement was requested for downwind area road closures and evacuation assistance in the sparsely populated area. The homeowner stated that her vehicle was in the driveway of her residence, unattended, when the emergency brake failed. This allowed the mid-size, pick-up truck to roll backwards into the 500 gallon propane tank, striking the tank broadside. She heard the crash from inside the house, smelled gas and called 911. 351 and 311 arrived on scene and assessed the situation. With a 4-gas monitor in hand, a recon crew approached from the upwind side and found that the tank had rolled over 180 degrees and came to rest upside down, denying access to the shut off valve. The truck’s rear bumper was now perched on top of the tank and the service line from the tank was free-flowing propane gas. Approximately 15 feet from the leak, the LEL alarm sounded and the crew pulled back. According to the homeowner, the tank had been filled two days prior. Northwestern energy was called to remotely shut down the power to the residence, which is 30 feet from the tank. A representative from the propane company was brought in, but did not have the necessary tools to assist with shutting down the leak. With a protective hose line in place, a 3 person crew entered the hot zone in full bunkers and SCBA’s, and was able to crimp the copper service line with vice grips to stop the leak. The line was then folded above the crimp as a secondary stop. The LEL reading near the tank was 4%. Once the LEL was back down to zero, crews worked to access the valve and shut it off. The residence was aired out and monitored for any gas exposure. When the scene was deemed safe, the homeowner was allowed to return and the scene was turned over to the propane company. 

Blankenship Propane Incident 10/29/07

On Monday evening at about 2110 hours, Blankenship Rural Fire District was dispatched to 14000 North Fork Rd for the report of a garage fire. The address about 42 miles north of Blankenship required a response of about 1 hour for the engine and tender with 5 firefighters. Upon arrival we encountered a garage of about 15' X 20' dimensions that had been consumed. Exposed was a log home about 15' away 20'X 30' in size. Most important, was a 1000 gallon horizontal propane tank about 12' from the garage. The tank was reported by the occupant to contain 750-800 gallons of propane. The tank, exposed to the fire from the garage was vigorously venting through the relief valve with a flame jet about 25' above the tank. Command was established upon arrival, all occupants and sightseers were removed from the area of the yard and equipment was staged about 1000-1300' away protected by woods and topography. An engine and tender were requested from Columbia Falls Rural Fire District, a 51 mile response in the event that a BLEVE occurred. The decision was made that all personnel would remain outside of the exclusion zone and the tank would be allowed to vent. The relief valve reset after about 45" of operation with fire contained to damaged dome valving. Upon the arrival of Cenex gas personnel they conferred with command and agreed that the tank would be allowed to flare off until the contents were expended. This action concluded approximately 28 hours later with fire units standing by. The pictures were taken 23 hours after the initial fire. The house while receiving damage was likely protected by the mass of the logs. The tank, where the paint is burned off shows the level of gas initially.