February 8, 2007

Home Explosion Fire Dept. Response

Dear Kachess Area Residents,

As I am sure many of you have heard by now, there was an explosion, followed by a fire that destroyed a house located at 150 Mountain Home Lane in Kachess Village.  Unfortunately the rumor mill has already begun about the cause of the explosion and the fire department�s response to the incident.  I will do my best to outline the facts of the event, as we know them to this point, and give you some ideas on other resources to check into regarding propane safety.

The exact cause of the explosion and fire is under investigation by the Kittitas County Fire Marshal�s Office.  It is believed at this time that something caused the house to fill with propane and that this propane was ignited causing the explosion.  Pieces of the residence were thrown over 70 feet by the explosion and it could be heard at distances of one mile.  When fire department personnel first arrived on scene no fire was visible.

Within a short time of fire department arrival, the first flames were visible.  The house was fully involved within minutes and a total loss.  The fire department was able to prevent the flames from spreading to a neighboring house that was starting to catch on fire.

Since propane is heavier than air, the house basically filled with propane gas from the basement up towards the top floors.  When the propane gas sits in the residence, it actually soaks into the contents of the house and the structure itself.  In essence, the items in the house and the building itself become saturated in propane similar to if you had poured gasoline on the items.  With this large amount of propane soaked into the items in the house and the structure itself, the fire burned very fast and hot and there was nothing that could be done to save the structure. 

Luckily no one was in the house or surrounding area during the explosion and no injuries were reported.

Members of Kittitas County Fire District 8, Kittitas County Fire District 7 and Snoqualmie Pass Fire all responded to assist in fighting this fire.  Below is the official timeline of events per the 911 centers radio log and records.

1857 First 911 call reporting explosion is received

1859 KCFD 8 is dispatched for a house explosion and building collapse

1900 I responded from Cle Elum (where I was at work) and requested mutual aid from KCFD 7 and Snoqualmie Pass Fire 

1901 KCFD 7 dispatched

1903 Snoqualmie Pass Fire Dispatch is advised on the incident

1903 Captain Stead advises that he is responding from the Easton area on I-90

1907 KCFD 7 has an engine responding from Golf Course Road Station

1910 First 2 KCFD 8 volunteers arrive at the explosion and no fire is visible.  They begin to evacuate bystanders from the area and lay hose lines from the two closest fire hydrant/standpipe houses.

1914 Two additional KCFD 8 members arrive on scene

1918 KCFD 8 fire engine is on scene and begins to lay hose line up the hill to the house

1918 First flames are observed at the house

1921 House is fully engulfed in flames

1932 I arrive on scene

1933 KCFD 7 engine arrives on scene

1957 Snoqualmie Pass Fire engine arrives on scene

0028 I cleared the scene to return to work.  KCFD 8 members rotated shifts throughout the night keeping a watch on the site and putting out hotspots until 6 am the next morning.

This is the second incident of this type to result in a house fire within the past month.  KCFD 8 assisted KCFD 7 in January with a structure fire in the West Nelson Siding Road area.  The cause of that fire was determined to be a faulty propane regulator on the outside of the house that allowed the garage to fill with propane causing an explosion and fire.  Recently there have been numerous other incidents throughout Kittitas County of propane leaks and regulator problems. 

Earlier this winter in the Kachess Village there was another incident where snow and ice fell from a roof and broke off the pipe that went from the propane tank to the house regulator.  This resulted in a huge propane leak that was very dangerous.  Thankfully KCFD 8 members arrived in time to locate the buried propane tank and turn it off before a fire or explosion occurred.

I strongly encourage all residents to check their propane regulators and tanks.  Make sure that regulators are not buried by snow or other debris and that they are still in good condition with no visible wear on the regulator or supply lines.  Also, please make sure that propane tank lids are easy to locate and uncovered so that in case of an emergency the tanks can be shut off quickly. 

Below is web site link with other propane safety tips:

www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=690

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this incident or any other fire department related issues. 

Also, please keep in mind that your local fire department is always looking for people that are willing to volunteer their time to become members of the fire department and we would love the opportunity to speak with you about becoming a department member.

Sincerely,

Monty L. Moore

Fire Chief

206-617-4521 cell

montlm@aol.comPosted 2/2/07