[Press Release] : Propane refill station catches fire

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Battalion Chief Gary L. Warren Jr. - (573) 499-7035 

Propane refill station catches fire

COLUMBIA, MO (June 15, 2007) - Around 9:12 a.m., the Columbia Fire
Department responded to a report of a commercial structure fire at 800
Business Loop 70 West (U-HAUL). Prior to the Fire Department’s
arrival, a University Hospital medic unit (211) arrived to find an
employee attempting to extinguish a small fire in a propane refill
station with a dry powder extinguisher.

The employee, Josh Carlyon, acted quickly in using one and a half
extinguishers to put out the fire. During extinguishment, Carlyon
received minor burns to his right forearm, nose and upper lip. He was
treated and released from a local hospital.

An investigation by Columbia Fire officials reports that the cause of
the fire was operator error. Investigators stated the fire resulted from
a hose placed on the propane cylinder which allowed residual product (in
the cylinder being refilled) to enter an electric motor. The hose used
should not have been connected to the cylinder at the time of the refill
according to a representative from Amerigas, who services the refill
station. The cylinder that caught on fire was a small cylinder
associated with gas grills. 

No initial damage estimate is available at this time, however more
information regarding the dollar amount will be forthcoming. 

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