A couple of CRITICAL points to make: 1) Personnel are way to close, 2) POOR scene security! Not sure of the situation, but there were at least two (2) professionals on scene and neither appeared to be clearing the area!; 3) this propane cylinder is the SAME ONE we have in our gas grills; 4) "unofficial cause" was the driver is a smoker and discarded his/her cigarette while driving down the road and it landed in the bed of the truck which was full of litter ( I will post the "official report" once it is posted to the FD's webpage). Watch a learn and pay close attention to the exercising of the relief valve on this small tank and what happens when the tank finally BLEVEs - then everyone will understand the importance of scene security!
News account...
This is one scary explosion. A propane tank in the back of a pickup truck exploded in line at a McDonald's drive-thru in Coachella, Calif., engulfing the whole truck in flames.
Apparently, the owner heard a hissing noise and went to fix it. That's when the first blast occurred. Soon after, the second, much larger explosion took place.
The driver suffered second-degree burns, and alarms went off all around.
The man's family, originally in the truck, including two young sons, were also taken to hospital, but they were not seriously hurt.
FAILURE! ON PD & FD FOR NOT SECURING THE AREA. IS THE STORE EVAC OF EVERYONE INSIDE AND ALL GAS EQUIPMENT TURNED OFF? WOW SOO MANY THINGS TOO STORM CLOUD THIS SCENE WITH. THIS NEEDS TOO BE ONE FOR LPG EMERGENCY TRAINING. MANDATORY!
Without question Steven, that is the propane cylinder/tank undergoing a BLEVE. Damage in the bed is indicative of a BLEVE occurring (e.g. cylinder shot through bed). Also, if it had been the fuel tank on the truck, we would have seen flammable liquid draining from the area on fire and this was not seen. My assessment anyway.
Thank you for posting this video. You are correct on scene control, it is atrocious in this scene, period! I am curious though as to whether the BLEVE you speak of i s actually the fuel tank for the truck finally blowing up? The safety relief valve is discharging, as it should, but I wonder if the trucks fuel tank finally overheated?
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I am curious though as to whether the BLEVE you speak of i s actually the fuel tank for the truck finally blowing up? The safety relief valve is discharging, as it should, but I wonder if the trucks fuel tank finally overheated?
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