View Full Interactive Version Of This Page : Another arguement for not storing propane in the house...
Kind of a graphic post, but read it anyways if you are even thinking of storing propane inside!
I just got off the phone with one of my best friends. A mutual friend of ours had some propane stored in his garage. Over the weekend, someone inadvertently opened one of the valves (that's what they think happened, anyways). While he was in there working, a spark or something ignited the propane, and the tanks exploded. I believe it was 2 20 pound tanks. It completely leveled the garage, and most of his house and the house next to it. Somehow he managed to get out of the garage and call 911, but when they arrived he was unresponsive. He was airlifted to UVA and has burns over 98% of his body. It got so hot, his glasses melted to his face, and the metal frames grafted themslves to his skull. They said there was a layer of skin on the ground from where he was laying, and when they picked him up, a lot of his skin and hair came off. The doctors said the burned skin was causing so much pressure that they had to make 30 incisions in his skin to relieve pressure so he could breathe. He's kind of a bigger guy, and the doctors said that the size of his body is the only reason he's alive today. They don't think he'll survive the night. And even if he does, he'll never see, hear, or talk again, and it's doubtful if he'll ever be able to breathe or eat on his own. I'm going to apologize in advance for not being around much in the next few days. I know there are some projects I'm working on, and I'm going to go ahead and ask everyone's forgiveness for them being delayed.
So, please, please, please, don't keep propane in your house!
Oh, that's terrible. This is also a reason not to have propane water heater. Propane is a heavy gas and it settles on the floor. If your pilot light on your water heater goes off the same thing could happen.
It also makes you think how dangerous it is to park your car in your garage. I would think 15 gallons of gasoline exploding in a fire could be pretty bad too.
Really, a very scary story.
2 20 lb tanks is alot of propane to have on hand.
Flamechick
2006-01-23, 3:49pm
Sorry to hear about your friend, Chad. That is just freaking scary.
chrisdd
2006-01-23, 5:48pm
That is just awful. I am so sorry this happened to your friend, Chad.
I'm so sorry Chad. Thank you for taking the time to pass this on.
Hols
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the thoughts. I'm sitting in the UVA medical center right now (they have wireless internet here). I haven't been in to see him since I'm not family, but to be honest, I'm not sure I want to. Still no change in his condition.
one-eared pig
2006-01-24, 9:18am
How devastating. I hope you and your friend's family will be able to find strength in each other during this time.
Heather/Ericaceae
2006-01-24, 1:14pm
I'm so sorry, Chad. What a cruel fate for that poor man. I hope that his suffering can be eased and that his friends and family receive the support they need to recover from this as well. I feel shaken up just reading about it and I send you, the family and this man my best thoughts. I'm not religious but sometimes things happen that are so mysterious that they can safely be called miracles... we'll hope for something like that in this case. Hugs - Heather
ps - Kevan, most water heaters have a safety feature that turns of the gas if the pilot goes out. Thanks goodness!
Three Muses Glass
2006-01-24, 1:55pm
Chad, I'm so sorry to hear about your freind. What a frightening and terrible thing to have happened to one so close.
Sue in Maine
2006-01-24, 2:06pm
Chad,
Nobody should have to go through that kind of pain- not your friend, his family or you. I am so sorry. You are all in my thoughts.
((((( Hugs from Maine )))))
Sue
kbinkster
2006-01-25, 9:05am
Oh, Chad, your post just made me cry. A family member of mine was burned (from steam, not fire) with similar results several years ago. He died leaving behind 3 kids and a wife. Your post/description of your friend brought it all back. What a horrific thing to happen, and I am so sorry that it has happened to your friend and his loved ones (including you)!
As hard as it is to read something like this, it is very important for everyone to be aware of the dangers associated with propane. I hope that your warning is far reaching and effective.
OMG Chad. That is pretty sad. People need to respect Propane more!!
Your poor friend! Paula
I just wanted to tell everyone thanks for the good thoughts.
I just got off the phone with Scott's family. They told me he passed away earlier today. To be honest (although it sounds really strange to say it), he's probably better off, since he would have had no quality of life in his condition. And, knowing Scott like I do, he would never want anyone to have to take care of him or be a burden to anyone...
Three Muses Glass
2006-01-26, 1:54pm
My deepest condolences Chad.
I just wanted to tell everyone thanks for the good thoughts.
I just got off the phone with Scott's family. They told me he passed away earlier today. To be honest (although it sounds really strange to say it), he's probably better off, since he would have had no quality of life in his condition. And, knowing Scott like I do, he would never want anyone to have to take care of him or be a burden to anyone...
I'm sorry, Chad. I understand what you mean, though. Plus, severe burn therapy is probably some of the most excruciatingly painful treatment anyone can go through. So given the circumstances, I'm glad he didn't have to go through that only to end up having no "real life" waiting for him on the other side.
Teresa
JavaGirlBT
2006-01-26, 5:03pm
That is so horrifying. I'm so sorry for your friend.
CarolinaDreamDesigns
2006-01-26, 6:12pm
I have no words to express my sorrow for your friend, his family and loved ones. I only wish that there may be some peace in the future for them.
Martha
Wow that is SO sad!!
Did anyone find out what ever really happened? Paula
Firelilly
2006-01-26, 8:07pm
Chad, I am so very sorry about your friend.
Lil
Wow that is SO sad!!
Did anyone find out what ever really happened? Paula
Well, I heard a different story last night. Apparently they had an old propane furnace in there they were working on, and it was in their house, and not the garage. The gas company came over and ran a line and forgot to cap it off and something ignited it. I saw a picture of it, and I don't know how they can tell that because I couldn't even tell it used to be a house, but I don't work for the fire department. I know they are still investigating, but I haven't heard anything else.
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