Little General Store Propane Explosion - US Chemical Safety and ...

Little General Store September 2008
Shortly thereafter, two EMTs arrived in an ambulance. The surviving EMT told investigators that he saw
the IC at the store’s front door when he arrived. According to the Little General store manager, the IC
had ordered the business to close. 18
The IC asked the EMTs to follow him behind the building to treat the junior technician for a burn on his
forearm. The EMTs examined the junior technician and determined that the burn was frostbite likely
from the releasing liquid propane.
Following the medical examination, the IC sent the EMTs to the front of the store to ensure that the
business had closed, gasoline was not being pumped, and no one was smoking. One EMT walked to the
store entrance and found it locked; however, he was able to speak to the Little General employees inside
to confirm that the business was closed. The Little General employees had hung a small sign on the door
to inform customers that the store was closed due to a gas leak. The EMT positioned himself in the
parking lot and proceeded to direct traffic and customers away from the property.
Just after 10:50 am, the lead technician returned to the store. He parked in front of the building and
walked to the area of the tanks.
A firefighter arrived in his personal vehicle to assist with the emergency and checked in with the IC. The
firefighter saw the IC and the two technicians working around the leaking tank; he could hear the
escaping propane. The IC ordered him to “make sure everybody’s out, okay?” However, as the
firefighter began walking to the front of the store, the propane ignited and exploded.
18
When ordered to close, the Little General employees turned off the gasoline pumps, locked the doors, and
remained in the building.
18