Leaky propane tank explodes

TREVLAC, Ind. – A propane gas tank caught fire and exploded near several residences on Lake Lemon around 3 p.m. Tuesday, sending dozens of firefighters rushing to the scene.\nThe closest residence, 5146 North Shore Drive in Trevlac did not appear damaged by the fire which, observers on the scene said, sent flames shooting about 50 feet into the air.\nSome firefighters on the scene attributed the fire to a leaky propane tank, located near the residence.\nRick Sawyers lives about a half mile from where the tank exploded and said when the initial explosions shook his house, he ran outside to see what happened.\n“It sounded like a rocket took off three or four times,” he said.\nWorkers on the scene said they did not think anyone in the residence was home at the time of the explosion.\nSawyers witnessed and videotaped the shooting flames and although he said he did not call emergency workers, they arrived on the scene in less than five minutes.\nBenton Township Volunteer Fire Department was one of the first units to respond. \nKurt Young, a volunteer firefighter, was on the scene and said despite the initial indication that a propane tank’s leak ignited the blaze, he believed brush, mixed with airborne gasses, was the culprit for the fire. He warned, however, that because an official investigation has not yet occurred, it was tough to pinpoint the exact cause of the fire. There has not been any indication from the involved police or fire departments on what exactly sparked the blaze.\nAlthough no one suffered significant injuries, one firefighter was assisted from the scene. Young said he thought the female firefighter had suffered “exhaustion” while fighting the fire.\nCoupled with the flames was a severe threat of wind and thunderstorms that swooped in over much of central Indiana Tuesday afternoon. This caused several transformers to spark near where firefighters tidied up the scene.\nA report on the cause of the fire will likely follow an official investigation by the involved firefighters.