For the second time in a year, a residential propane explosion is prompting officials to urge residents to inspect their systems and install gas detectors in homes heated by propane, a fuel used by more than 11 million Americans for heat and hot water.
“Sometimes it’s human error,” said Olive Fire Chief Chris Winne. “Sometimes it’s equipment failure. If you smell propane, then you should have your system checked.”
Emergency crews responding to the accident at 16 Mulrooney Road on Monday found that a small building on a residential property exploded, causing a small fire that sent one woman to Health Alliance Hospital in Kingston with burns. The blast came almost exactly one year after a propane-related home explosion in West Hurley killed two people.
Propane tanks are generally designed to withstand winter weather, meaning cold temperatures alone do not usually cause a failure or leak. Tanks should be kept upright in a well-ventilated area and never stored inside a home or attached garage, where leaking gas can build up and ignite.
As temperatures rise from winter into spring, pressure inside a propane tank can increase. Safety experts say that, in some cases — particularly if a tank is overfilled — that pressure can cause the relief valve to release gas.
If you suspect a leak, and unless the tank itself appears damaged, turn off the gas if it is safe to do so, evacuate the premises, and call the fire department and gas company. To avoid sparks, don’t turn electrical switches on or off, don’t use a landline phone, and don’t smoke or vape near the tank, according to a safety pamphlet from the Propane Education and Research Council.
Other signs of a leak include a hissing sound or unusually high gas usage, according to the council, which is funded by the propane industry. People may also fail to notice the odor if a leak is in a basement or chimney, or if it has persisted long enough that they no longer detect it.
While propane contains an odor to help detect a leak, “It can be hard to smell,” said David Croswell, who runs M&D Home Solutions in Accord with his wife, Mary. It makes sense to install gas detectors near or around appliances, as well as child safety locks for the knobs, he said.
In Olive, a gas detector in a short-term rental recently caught a gas leak, said Town Supervisor Jim Sofranko. Residents should take basic precautions, particularly in a town with older housing stock and short-term rentals.
“If you have an old system, get it checked,” he said.
A standard one-hour service call costs about $125, said Matt Feldeman, the director of propane development at Bottini Fuel, which provides heating fuel services, mostly propane, to the Hudson Valley and Catskills. A gas detector costs $17.99 at Walmart.
Above all, Feldman said, it’s best to rely on professionals. Some people, especially in rural areas, can mistake the smell of propane to the odor of dead animals or put off a service call because they’re worried about the cost and try to fix the issue on their own.
“You smell something, say something, type of attitude,” Feldman said. “People need to leave it to the professionals.”
Noah Eckstein is the editor-in-chief of The Overlook. Send correspondence to noah@theoverlooknews.com.