Explosion of Propane Tanks Destroys AmeriGas Facility in Beaver County
A devastating explosion of two propane tanks caused a fire that completely destroyed an AmeriGas facility in Independence Township, Beaver County. Thankfully, no one was inside the building at the time of the explosion, as confirmed by an AmeriGas spokesperson. The fire chief of Independence Township also confirmed that no one in the surrounding area was hurt in the blaze.
Chief Jeri New stated, “The only thing standing is the four walls. Everything in there is a complete loss.” The circumstances surrounding the explosion were not immediately clear, and crews had to block off Route 151 for several hours as a result of the explosion.
In response to the incident, AmeriGas released a statement saying, “We have been notified of the situation and AmeriGas personnel are on the scene. We will begin the investigation as soon as possible.” New added that the explosion involved two propane tanks but assured that the blast is not believed to be suspicious. Furthermore, the larger tanks in the back of the facility were not impacted, and there is no longer any threat to the community as those tanks have been shut off.
Concerns have been raised about the proximity of the facility to an elementary school in the area. New acknowledged these concerns, stating, “Since this building has gone in, it’s been a major concern of all of our residents. We have an elementary school right down the road here, and that was a big concern of it being so close.” Despite these fears, New hopes that nearby residents are comforted by the quick response from her crews.
The investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.