A worker received serious burns when an explosion ripped through a vehicle repair shop, flattening the building. Workers were preparing to close the shop for the day when leaking propane gas from a vehicle they had been servicing was ignited by an overhead furnace. When the blast occurred, the workers were ventilating the building after smelling propane fumes. The exact cause of the accident was not confirmed, but it is likely that the propane tank on the vehicle being serviced was over-filled or subjected to temperatures that caused the pressure relief valve to open, releasing explosive gas.
Propane requires special care.
It is normally stored as a liquid under pressure. As with most liquified petroleum gases, it expands as its temperature rises. Also, if the propane fuel system has any leaks and the vehicle is brought indoors, this also creates a hazardous condition. In weather above the freezing mark use a soap and water solution to check connections, valves, and lines. Ensure that the area is open and no sources of ignition exist.