A spring afternoon was disrupted for a dispatch for a gas leak outside that turned into a multi-hour incident for firefighters from the West Grove Fire Company Saturday.

Dispatched just prior to 2pm, initial information indicated a 1000 gallon tank was leaking on a farm off Quimby Road in New London Township. Chief 22 arrived and reported a buried propane tank was self venting propane gas, after having the top regulator and valve stem broken when construction equipment was mistakenly driven over top of it.

Chief 22 established a command post, and positioned arriving units. Engine 12 arrived and deployed its crew and a 1-3/4" attack line. Ladder 22 arrived to assist that crew and begin to monitor gas levels in the nearby residence and barn structures. Engine 32 also backed down the 1/2 mile drive way to augment water supply. Tanker 22 and Engine 22 were also on location.

The propane vendor arrived quickly and assisted WGFC crews in determining that the vertical stem from the buried tank had been damaged. Approximately 300 gallons of propane had been delivered recently. While much of the product had already vented under pressure, a decision was made to fill the buried tank with water, using the water to push out any remaining propane gas.

Engine 12 made connection with a 5/8" water line and WGFC crews began the work of injecting water into the tank. This was a slow process, as the super cold propane began boiling, venting significant gas up through the damaged riser pipe. Propane is actually stored in liquid form at nearly -40 degrees F. Water from the hose was entering at nearly 60 degrees -- so the temperature difference creates the boiling effect. The goal is to slowly displace the propane with water, but the risk is the water freezes and clogs the riser pipe.

After approximately 90 minutes, 1000 gallons of water was used to fill the propane tank, and the situation was under control. A shift in the wind moved venting gas away from the structures, although the crews monitoring gas levels in all structures throughout. Units cleaned up and returned to service by approximately 4:30pm.

Engine 21-1 was also on the scene in standby mode.