No earth-shattering kaboom

Nothing but charred and twisted steel remains of the tractor that pulled a pair of propane delivery tankers into a distribution yard on Monday. Although the tractor was destroyed, the tankers remained intact. There were no injuries in the fire. No propane or vapours were released. Nor was there any damage to nearby properties or businesses.

Firefighters quickly extinguish potentially dangerous fire of a propane tanker truck

County firefighters managed to avoid a disaster in Wellington on Monday morning. A quick response, good training and some luck helped to ensure that a fire that broke out in a tanker truck delivering propane to a bulk storage yard didn’t escalate into a more dangerous event.

At just after 10 on Monday morning a large bulk tanker loaded with about 60,000 litres of fuel pulled into Greer’s Propane at the end of Cleminson Street in the northwest corner of the village to deliver its load. The truck had connected to Greer’s storage tanks and was preparing to deliver his load. The driver had not yet opened the valve when he noticed his truck cab was on fire.

Greer Propane operators immediately commenced the company’s emergency shutdown protocol—a series of procedures for which they have trained in the event of just such an accident. Nearby businesses were evacuated. Wellington firefighters were on the scene six minutes after the call came in. They quickly drowned the flames with a deluge of water, but not before the vehicle’s tires and fuel tanks popped and ruptured.

Dark smoke billowed. Firefighting crews and vehicles continued to arrive from Hillier and Hallowell. They moved quickly and smartly. Soon the fire was extinguished. A calamity had been avoided.

The tractor was reduced to a mound of ash and steel. The tankers, though blackened by soot, remained intact, easily withstanding the intense heat of the flames that had destroyed the tractor.

There were no injuries. Nor was there any damage to the distribution facility or neighbouring properties or businesses.. About 50 gallons of diesel fuel was spilled, but was contained on site. Bob Greer, a principal of the family business that distributes propane fuel across the County, says everything worked as it should. He added that the tanks are designed and built to withstand the burning of the tractor— that much more intense heat sustained over hours would have been required to compromise the tank containing the propane.

Resulting from their quick response, County firefighters extinguished the blaze in minutes.

By early afternoon, officials from the Ministry of Environment and Quinte Conservation had been contacted and briefed on the accident, County spokesperson Ashley Stewart said.

Propane gas plant explosions are rare, and the industry generally has a good safety record. Greer Propane has a pristine track record .

We run a very safe and reliable facility,” said Greer. “All equipment and tanks performed as they were designed and tested for.”

Greer said service to its customers will not be disrupted. The fuel distribution service will operate from another location for a day or two, but Greer expects to be back in the main yard by the end of the week.

Mayor Peter Mertens praised the work of firefighters and others who worked to avert a more serious incident.

“County firefighters were on the scene within six minutes of receiving the call,” said Mertens. “Their actions made what could have been a disaster into an incident. Most of the responders are volunteer firefighters who train to the same standards as any firefighters in the province. Congratulations to all who were involved including the owners and staff of Greer Propane.”

Now begins the task of finding out what caused the fire and cleaning up the mess.

It is a job made easier with the knowledge this could have been so much worse.