I just found this site with info about a propane explosion that killed six kids, aged 2 to 19. Pretty sad. Safe storage of fuels really is that important.

http://brucegoldfarb.com/?p=28

Sheez, that pic makes my hair stand on end.

My dad always said "fire is a two-faced friend."

Same goes for volatile fuels, I think.

A few months ago, security found a propane tank bomb at the local coal-fired steam plant in Centralia, WA. It was a 5-gallon propane tank with some kind of black powder/electronic detonator. Less than ten days later, they got the guy who made it and put it there.

Here's the guy's story: He made the bomb as entertainment for the Fourth of July. He tried to ignite it, but the black powder was apparently the only part that ignited. He said he kept it around at home for a couple of months, then decided to take it twenty miles away and dump it near the steam plant/coal mine. It was just a holiday prank, honest!

Can you imagine what the neighborhood would have looked like had it worked as he intended, with all the kids around? But I don't think anyone really believed his story. Of course, it's possible that he's the craziest, most ignorant person on the face of the earth...

Sue

blasts from leaking propane are the curse of the north country cabin..

Much to be said for propane detectors. Available at RV supplies and not that expensive. Only drawback, they must be replaced every 5 years according to mfg.

That looks like a leak in the house that was ignited. IE: Stove on for a long time w/no fire... match, cig, etc ignited and KABOOM.

A propane cylinder that has a leak or gets too hot should shoot flames many feet high in the sky out of the pressure valve.

More accurately: Propane + wooden building. If you look carefully at the picture there is no sign of fire. The propane has detonated. Probably in one room and the house has disintegrated. I rather suspect that most of them died either from shrapnel or blast related injuries. Or some combination of the two.

One wonders what would have happened if that had been a brick or concrete building. Would most of them have survived?

Research the word 'BLEVE'

Don't need to - seen too many films of them :shudder:

Odds are they died from the pressure/shock wave. Brick or concrete would have accentuated this.