Bend, Ore. – A propane fuel explosion occurred in a garage of a condominium unit on Bend’s westside in the Widgi Creek development.
The units utilize a shared buried propane tank. The propane meter had been buried under several feet of snow that had been removed from the roof. A one inch propane pipe had broken adjacent to the meter within the wall of the garage.
The garage filled with propane until it found an ignition source. The resulting explosion blew out one wall of the garage and ignited the opposite wall.
Fire crews extinguished the fire and shut off the flow of propane.
No one was in the condominium at the time of the incident.
The fire was discovered by an occupant of an adjacent unit.
The Bend Fire Department reminds homeowners to exercise extreme care when removing snow from roofs or other areas. Be aware of where you’re putting the snow, and do not pile it on gas meters, fire hydrants, or block access to or emergency egress from important areas.
