Propane Safety Tips Following Buckingham House Explosion

BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP, PA — A propane leak that caused a house to explode Wednesday in Buckingham Township has left many in the community wondering what they should be doing to make sure their homes are safe.

The explosion was caused by an accidental ignition of a propane leak in the home's basement, according to investigators, including Buckingham Township Fire Marshal James Kettler. Patch caught up with Kettler and asked him for some safety tips in light of the recent emergency.

Kettler shared this brochure from Propane Safety First, which offers information on how to safely use propane and what to do in an emergency. He also pointed to this brochure from the state of Maine.

Some key points to remember:

• Propane has a strong, unpleasant smell like rotten eggs, a skunk’s spray, or a dead animal. Propane manufacturers add the smell deliberately to help alert customers to propane leaks.
• Propane is flammable when mixed with oxygen, and can be ignited by many sources, including open flames, smoking materials, electrical sparks, and static electricity.
• If you smell propane, leave the area immediately. Do not operate lights, appliances, telephones, or cell phones. Flames or sparks from these sources can trigger an explosion or a fire. Turn off the main gas supply valve on your propane tank, if it is safe to do so. To close the valve, turn it to the right (clockwise).
• If you smell propane, report it from a neighbor’s home or other building away from the leak. Call your propane retailer right away; if you can’t reach your propane retailer, call 911 or your local fire department.
• There are propane gas detectors, which sound an alarm if they sense propane in the air. They can provide an additional measure of security in homes with little-used areas or with occupants who have difficulty smelling propane.