Investigation: # 16WA00101

Release Date: October 20, 2016

SHARP Report: # 52-37-2016

Coffee Stand Owner Dies

When Leak from Propane

Cylinder Causes a Fire
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Table of Contents

SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................ 3

RECOMMENDATIONS.............................................................................................................. 3

INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 4

Business Establishment ...................................................................................................... 4

Victim .................................................................................................................................... 4

Incident Site.......................................................................................................................... 4

Weather................................................................................................................................. 4

INVESTIGATION....................................................................................................................... 5

PHOTOS.................................................................................................................................... 6

CAUSE OF DEATH ................................................................................................................... 8

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ..................................................................................................... 8

RECOMMENDATIONS AND DISCUSSION .............................................................................. 8

REFERENCES .........................................................................................................................11

INVESTIGATOR INFORMATION .............................................................................................12

WASHINGTON STATE FACE PROGRAM INFORMATION.....................................................13

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...........................................................................................................14
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SUMMARY

In January of 2016, a 26-year-old drive-through coffee stand owner died from burns she 

received when her stand caught fire. Propane vapor leaking from a 20-pound barbecue style

cylinder was ignited by the open flame of a propane space heater’s pilot light. The space heater 

was used to heat the stand. She had been using the 20-pound cylinder with a coupler adapter to 

transfer propane to refill1-pound cylinders. These cylinders were used to fuel the space heater.

She received burns to 90% of her body and died four days later.

RECOMMENDATIONS 

To prevent similar occurrences in the future, Washington State Fatality Assessment and Control 

Evaluation (FACE) investigators concluded that employers and business owners should follow 

these guidelines:

 Employers and business owners should recognize and train employees on the potential 

fire, explosion, and burn hazards associated with propane gas vapor in the vicinity of an 

open flame, such as the pilot light of a propane-powered space heater. 

 Employers and business owners should not use adapters to transfer propane from larger 

cylinders to refill one-time use only 1-pound propane cylinders, as this practice creates a 

risk of fire, explosion, serious injury, or death. 

 Employers and business owners should follow National Fire Protection Association 

(NFPA) building fire codes and local building codes to ensure safe building egress (exit).

 Employers and business owners should provide adequate heat in a safe manner to the 

workplace.
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INTRODUCTION

In January of 2016, the Washington FACE Program was notified by a news media article of the 

death of a 26-year-old coffee stand owner. The victim was working inside the stand when an 

uncontrolled release of propane from a 20-pound barbecue style cylinder was ignited by the 

open flame of a propane space heater used to heat the building. The structure caught fire and 

the victim received burns from which she died four days later.

A Washington State FACE investigator gathered information about the fatality from incident 

investigators, including the incident city’s fire marshal and an investigator with the U.S. 

Department of Transportation’s Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous 

Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The FACE investigator reviewed documents which 

included the fire department’s incident report, records supplied by the PHMSA investigator, and 

the victim’s death certificate. As the victim in this incident was the sole owner with no 

employees, the Washington State Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) did not 

conduct a post-incident inspection. Therefore, no inspection file was available for review.

Business Establishment

The business was a drive-through coffee stand. The concept model of this business was what 

has been popularly termed a “bikini barista” coffee stand. At these types of stands, espresso 

drinks and other beverages are served to customers by workers wearing bikinis or similar attire.

The victim was the sole owner of the coffee stand business and had no employees.

Victim

The 26-year-old female victim was the owner and operator of the coffee stand. She had recently 

purchased the stand from its previous owner.

Incident Site

The incident took place at a drive-through espresso coffee stand located in the parking lot of a 

gasoline station with a convenience store. The coffee stand had been converted from a 

prefabricated shed to its present use. It had windows on four sides and a single door. Its 

dimensions were 10’ x 10’ 4” by 11’ 4” inches tall.

Weather

At the time of the incident, the sky was overcast with a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. 
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INVESTIGATION

It was a chilly day in January. The victim was inside her drive-through-coffee stand operating

her business as usual and serving beverages to customers. She was the sole occupant of the 

stand. 

According to a customer interviewed by a member of the local fire department, between 9 a.m. 

and 10 a.m. that morning, the customer pulled his vehicle up to the stand’s customer service 

window and noticed the smell of propane coming from inside the stand when the victim opened 

her sliding style customer service window. He asked her why he was smelling propane. She told 

him that she was using a space heater to heat the stand. She lifted up the space heater by its 

handle and showed it to him. It was a dual 1-pound cylinder space heater with radiant heat 

panels. The customer recognized the model of the heater, as he owned a similar one. It was a 

popular portable space heater designed for use in enclosed spaces and out of doors.

During a 5- to 10-minute conversation with the victim, the customer expressed his concern that 

he thought it was very dangerous to have that much propane odor in her stand. He asked her 

about a 20-pound barbecue-style propane cylinder that he saw inside the stand. She told him 

that she used it to fill several small 1-pound cylinders that she used for the space heater. And 

that she had a “thing” that connected to the larger propane cylinder that she used to refill the

smaller cylinders. She told the customer that she needed to use the propane heater, as the 

days had been very cold recently and she had no other effective way to heat the stand and stay

warm during her long workdays. 

At 4:45 p.m., the city fire department responded to a dispatch of a fire at the coffee stand. When 

fire department responders arrived a few minutes later they encountered a fully developed fire. 

They immediately began putting out the fire. 

A city police detective found the victim inside the gas station store in the rear near the 

restrooms. She was conscious and had severe burn injuries to much of her body. He went to 

comfort her. Moments later fire department paramedics arrived and began to administer aid.

She was taken on a gurney to a waiting medic unit ambulance. On the way to the hospital she 

told a paramedic that her propane space heater and a propane cylinder had blown up and 

caused the whole stand to instantly fill with flames. She further related that she could not exit by

the door because the deadbolt lock required a key to unlock and she was unable to reach the 

key which was located in another part of the stand near the fire. Eventually, she managed to 

open the stand’s sliding service window and jump out. 

She was taken to a hospital where she received treatment for her burn injuries. Four days later 

she died of these injuries.

An investigation by the city fire department found that the ignition source of the fire was the 

open flame of the space heater pilot light that ignited an uncontrolled release of propane vapor 

from the 20-pound propane cylinder that was located inside the stand. 
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PHOTOS

Photo 1: The coffee stand 

after fire department 

personnel had 

extinguished the fire.

Photo 2: The coffee stand 

interior after the fire.

Photo 3: Incident propane cylinders and space 

heater. 

Photo 4: Incident 20-lb. propane 

cylinder as found inside the stand. 

A cylinder breech crack was caused 

by the fire (circled).
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PHOTOS

Photo 7: Non-reusable DOT 39 propane cylinder on the right 

attached by an adapter to a larger propane cylinder. This 

configuration is similar to that of the incident cylinders and adapter.

Photo 8: 

Adapter example.

Photo 9: Standard warning label on 1-pound DOT 39 propane 

cylinder with message: “FEDERAL LAW FORBIDS 

TRANSPORTATION IF REFILLED – PENALTY UP TO $500,00 

FINE AND FIVE YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT (49 U.SC. 5124)”

Photo 5: Incident 20 lb. propane 

cylinder with threaded adapter 

attachment in valve orifice.

Photo 6: Close-up of the adapter.
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CAUSE OF DEATH

According to the victim’s death certificate, the medical examiner reported the cause of death as 

“thermal burns of approximately 90% total body surface area.”

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Occupational injuries and fatalities are often the result of one or more contributing factors or key 

events in a larger sequence of events that ultimately result in the injury or fatality. Washington 

FACE investigators identified the following contributing factors in this incident:

 Cold weather.

 Inadequate heat for building.

 Lack of awareness by owner/operator of the potential fire and explosion hazard of 

propane gas in the close proximity of the open flame of a space heater.

 Unsafe use of one-time use, non-refillable 1-pound propane cylinders.

 Possible poor maintenance of 20-pound tank.

 Non-permitted building modifications relating to occupant egress (exit).

RECOMMENDATIONS AND DISCUSSION

Recommendation #1: Employers and business owners should recognize and train employees 

on the potential fire, explosion, and burn hazards associated with propane gas vapor in the 

vicinity of an open flame, such as the pilot light of a propane-powered space heater. 

Discussion: Ensure that workers who use propane-powered space heaters receive specific 

training regarding hazards associated with their use. In this incident, the victim was apparently 

unaware of the serious hazard that the propane vapor could be ignited by the space heater’s

pilot light flame. Propane gas is flammable and ignition sources, such as an open flame, must 

be kept away from cylinders containing propane. An uncontrolled release of propane gas could 

result in a flash fire and/or explosion (rupture) of a cylinder. Always follow the propane heater

manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation. Cylinders should always be stored outdoors, so 

that if there is a leak, vapor will not accumulate. This practice decreases the possibility of 

causing a fire from an ignition source, as happened in this incident.

If the rotten egg or skunk smell of the chemical added to propane is present, this indicates that 

there is an uncontrolled release of propane vapor. Immediately do the following:

Extinguish all flames. Do not operate light switches or appliances or use phones, as 

sparks from these may ignite the propane vapor.

 Leave the area or building.

 Report the leak to your propane dealer or, if this is not possible, call 911.
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 Do not return to the area or building until qualified personnel have determined that it is 

safe to do so.

There are portable propane-powered space heaters that are designed and manufactured for 

temporary indoor or enclosed space use. These space heaters have an oxygen depletion

sensor (ODS) that automatically shuts off the heater when it detects low levels of oxygen. The 

incident space heater was designed to both be used in enclosed spaces and outdoors, and it

had an ODS. This heater consumes oxygen and according to the manufacturer, must be 

properly vented when operated. A space heater that is designed for outdoor use only should 

never be used indoors or in an enclosed space. Again, always follow the manufacturer’s 

instructions for safe operation of propane space heaters.

Additionally, propane-powered space heaters produce carbon monoxide (CO). Always check 

the manufacturer’s operating manual to ensure safe use. CO is an odorless, colorless 

poisonous gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials.

Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, 

confusion, and weakness. Severe carbon monoxide poisoning causes neurological damage, 

illness, coma, and death. 

Recommendation #2: Employers and business owners should not use adapters to transfer 

propane from larger cylinders to refill one-time use only 1-pound propane cylinders, as this 

practice creates a risk of fire, explosion, serious injury, or death.

Discussion: The explosion and fire occurred while the victim was using a propane adapter to 

transfer propane from a 20-pound cylinder to 1-pound cylinders. Fire investigators determined 

that a leak from the 20-pound cylinder was the source of propane vapor that was ignited by the 

space heater’s pilot flame, thereby causing a flash fire. It is unknown why the leak occurred. It is 

possible that the adapter was improperly secured to the 20-pound cylinder’s valve, thereby 

causing propane leakage. Or there may have been damage to the 20-pound cylinder’s valve, or

some other factor that caused the leak. The condition of the 20-pound cylinder prior to the 

incident is unknown. What is known is that the cylinder was manufactured before September 30, 

1998. This is the date by which the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines, as 

specified in NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, required propane cylinders with a 4 to 40-

pound capacity to be manufactured with an Overfilling Prevention Device (OPD). Washington 

State adopted this requirement in 2002. There is no federal requirement to have an OPD. The 

20-pound cylinder in this incident did not have an OPD. This indicates that the cylinder may not 

have been properly maintained if the OPD was not installed when it was refilled.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 

Administration (PHMSA) recommends that cylinders that are in poor condition or have not been 

requalified by certified propane personnel should not be used, as they may put users at risk of 

severe injuries or death. Both propane (Class 2.1, Flammable Gas) and the cylinder to which it 

is stored are regulated by the Hazardous Material Regulations (HMR). Cylinders containing 

flammable gases are required to fully conform to the packaging, qualification, maintenance, and 

use requirements of the HMR. Propane cylinders must be requalified or replaced every 5-12 

years depending on the cylinder type, condition, and previous requalification method. Users 
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should have cylinders inspected by certified propane personnel at regular intervals to ensure 

that they are in serviceable condition. PHMSA propane cylinder safety bulletins can be 

accessed at http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/outreach-training/compressed-gas-cylindersafety-information

Though not a factor in this incident, because the 1-pound cylinders are manufactured for onetime only use and are not subject to the more rigorous manufacturing standards of refillable 

cylinders, they may present a safety hazard if refilled and reused. Over time, with the stresses 

of multiple refills and emptying, these cylinders may become less durable and potentially subject 

to failure, presenting a risk of fire, explosion, serious injury, and death.

Additionally, Federal law forbids the transportation of these 1-pound cylinders, also known as 

DOT 39 cylinders, if they are refilled. Washington State law does not allow the refilling or reuse 

of containers manufactured in accordance with the specifications of 49 CFR Part 178 and 

authorized by 49 CFR Chapter 1 as a “single trip” or “nonrefillable container” in LP (Liquefied 

Petroleum) gas service.

Also, see CFR 1910.110, Subpart H, Hazardous Materials, Storage and handling of liquefied 

petroleum gases.

Recommendation #3: Employers and business owners should follow National Fire Protection 

Association (NFPA) building fire codes and local building codes relating to building egress (exit).

Discussion: This was a new business which the city fire marshal’s office had not yet inspected 

for code compliance with the fire code. The business was scheduled for inspection later that 

month. The previous owner of the stand had made non-permitted modifications to the coffee 

stand. Some of these modifications were related to building egress, which affected the victim’s 

ability to exit the stand quickly when the fire broke out. The door was immediately adjacent to 

where the fire started. The victim was standing in this area when the fire ignited. In violation of 

building and fire codes, there was a deadbolt on the door that required a key to unlock. Initially 

the victim attempted to leave by this door but was unable to do so quickly because the key was 

hanging in an area above where the fire started and she was unable to reach it. After eight 

seconds she slid open the customer service window and exited the stand. During this time, she 

received severe burns.

It is recommended that doors be fire code compliant, thereby allowing building occupants to exit 

quickly in case of a fire. In this case, a single action unlocking and opening device would have 

allowed the victim to escape more quickly.

Recommendation #4: Employers and business owners should provide adequate heat in a safe 

manner to the workplace.

Discussion: It is unknown why the victim was using a propane space heater to heat her coffee

stand. The city fire marshal’s office inspection which was scheduled for later that month would 

have assessed any heating source for fire safety code compliance. After this incident, the city 

fire marshal’s office checked to see how other drive-through coffee stands were heating their 
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stands. They found that all twenty-two of the stands they inspected were using electrical 

heating. 

Employers and business owners should ensure that a safe heating source is available. In work 

situations where there is no heating supplied and where cold temperatures are expected and 

there is a need to provide temporary heating, for example in a seasonal roadside stand, a 

building under construction, or a coffee stand such as this one, then provision should be made 

to provide a safe source of heat. 

Always follow temporary heating device manufacturer’s operating instructions and all local, 

state, and federal safe operating requirements. 

REFERENCES

1. Weather Underground. 

https://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KPAE/2016/1/7/DailyHistory.html?req_city=Evere

tt&req_state=WA&req_statename=Washington&reqdb.zip=98204&reqdb.magic=1&reqdb.wmo=

99999

2. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids 

Code. http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-andstandards?mode=code&code=30

3. Washington Administrative Code (WAC). Part F-1, Storage and Handling of Liquefied 

Petroleum Gases, WAC 296-24-47505(14). http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-

24-47505

4. U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). 49 CFR 1, 178.65, Specification 39 Non-Reusable 

(Non-Refillable) Cylinders. 

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2011-title49-vol3/pdf/CFR-2011-title49-vol3-sec178-65.pdf

5. U.S. Department of Transportation. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 

(PHMSA). Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety Information. 

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/outreach-training/compressed-gas-cylinder-safetyinformation

6. National Institute for Safety and Health (NIOSH). Carbon Monoxide. 

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/co-comp/default.html

7. OSHA. Carbon Monoxide Fact sheet. 

https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/carbonmonoxide-factsheet.pdf

8. OSHA. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Protect Yourself. 

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/3282-10N-05-English-07-18-2007.html
12

9. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Carbon Monoxide Poisonings at 

Indoor Work Places. 

http://www.lni.wa.gov/safety/hazardalerts/CarbonMonoxidePoisoningsAtIndoorWorkPlaces.pdf

10. Propane Education and Research Council. Safety and Training. 

http://www.propanecouncil.org/safety-and-training/

11. OSHA. Fire Protection and Prevention, Temporary Heating Devices, CFR 1926.154

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=106

75

12. Washington Administrative Code (WAC). Temporary Heating Devices, WAC 296-155-280. 

http://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=296-155-280

13. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Carbon Monoxide: Sources of 

Carbon Monoxide in the Workplace. 

http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/CarbonMonoxide/default.asp

14. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (2014). NFPA 58: Liquefied Petroleum Gas 

Code. http://catalog.nfpa.org/NFPA-58-Liquefied-Petroleum-Gas-Code-2017-EditionP1187.aspx

15. Propane Gas Association of New England. Propane Basics.

http://www.pgane.org/consumer-safety/large-tanks/

16. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), U.S. Department of 

Transportation. Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety Information. 

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/outreach-training/compressed-gas-cylinder-safetyinformation

17. NFPA 1: Fire Code. http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/listof-codes-and-standards?mode=code&code=1

18. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), U.S. Department of 

Transportation. Overfilling Prevention Device (OPD), FAQ 

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/portal/site/PHMSA/menuitem.6f23687cf7b00b0f22e4c6962d9c8789/?

vgnextoid=7fbe1db0cc84d110VgnVCM1000009ed07898RCRD&vgnextchannel=f7280665b91a

c010VgnVCM1000008049a8c0RCRD

INVESTIGATOR INFORMATION

Todd Schoonover has a PhD in Industrial Hygiene from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He 

is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and Certified Safety Professional (CSP). Todd is 

currently the Principle Investigator for the WA FACE Program.
13

Christina Rappin has a BAS from The Evergreen State College. She is a Research Investigator 

with the WA FACE program.

Randy Clark has a BA from the Evergreen State College. He is a Safety and Health Specialist 

with the WA FACE Program.

WASHINGTON STATE FACE PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Washington State Fatality Assessment and Control (WA FACE) program is one of 

many workplace health and safety programs administered by the Washington State 

Department of Labor & Industries’ Safety & Health & Research for Prevention (SHARP) 

program. It is a research program designed to identify and study fatal occupational 

injuries. Under a cooperative agreement with the National Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health (NIOSH grant # 2U60OH008487-11), WA FACE collects information 

on occupational fatalities in WA State and targets specific types of fatalities for 

evaluation. WA FACE investigators evaluate information from multiple sources. Findings 

are summarized in narrative reports that include recommendations for preventing similar 

events in the future. These recommendations are distributed to employers, workers, and 

other organizations interested in promoting workplace safety. NIOSH-funded, statebased FACE programs include: California, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New 

York, Oregon, and Washington. WA FACE does not determine fault or legal liability 

associated with a fatal incident. Names of employers, victims and/or witnesses are not 

included in written investigative reports or other databases to protect the confidentiality 

of those who voluntarily participate in the program.

Additional information regarding the WA FACE program can be obtained from:

Washington State FACE Program

www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/FACE/default.asp

PO Box 44330

Olympia, WA 98504-4330

1-888-667-4277
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This report was reviewed by stakeholders from labor and business communities and various 

Washington State and Federal worker safety agencies. Though we are unable to acknowledge 

specific individuals for their contributions to this report, we would like to recognize the following 

for their help and support of the FACE mission and objectives:

 Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) 

 Federal FACE Program management (NIOSH)

 Safety & Health Assessment & Research for Prevention (SHARP)

 Fire department officials of incident city