Get the right proportion of suspended dust (corn, flour, wood, etc) and you can get the same effect once it ignites. Just need to hit that magic explosive limit.

I found that my article had been linked and was being discussed here, and wanted to clarify some points. I hope I'm not too late for the discussion.



Actually, you can see there was a fire in the basement. But you're probably correct that the victims were killed by the blast itself. That is precisely the point. Propane is much more explosive than natural gas.

That wooden construction is very common for residences, tens of millions of which are fueled by propane.



I can tell you which room -- the basement. Propane is heavier than air. It flows like water into low-lying areas and tends to collect.

This is why I put the information up. Anybody who uses propane should look at the entire material that was linked at http://brucegoldfarb.com/?p=28.



It may have been more survivable. But there are lots of examples of concrete, steel-framed and brick/block construction blown up by propane. Look at the link. There are photos and video and lots of examples.

Propane is very dangerous.

Yes. Look at http://brucegoldfarb.com/?p=28 to read of a restaurant that was just about as obliterated from a single 20-pound cylinder.

Propane tends to accumulate in the basement. It's heavier than air, and it can lose its smell. Your house could be filled with an explosive mixture, and you could be totally unaware.

Propane detectors are absolutely essential. Unlike a smoke detector, which is installed on the ceiling, a propane goes on the floor or the lowest point.