A propane tank upgrade at Union County High School went horribly wrong last week when an out-of-town contractor was engulfed in a fireball that resulted in serious injuries and a life-flight to the Grady Burn Center in Atlanta.
Over the weekend, the newspaper learned that the man was doing well and was expected to make a full recovery.
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The school system’s propane tanks are primarily utilized for heating campus buildings and are also used to heat water and for cooking.
Recently, the Central Office had all propane tanks evaluated for needed upgrades and scheduled maintenance for the largest tank – 30,000 gallons – to coincide with summer break to ensure no children and minimal staff were on campus due to the inherent risks of work involving propane.
The upgrade consisted of replacing outdated valves, both internal and external, as well as other parts, which meant that the tank, situated in a parking lot near the high school gym, had to be emptied to the extent possible to complete the work.
So, on Tuesday, May 27, UCHS notified the public via social media that a licensed propane company would be upgrading the tank, and that motorists should not be alarmed if a large, continuous flame was visible from the Glenn Gooch Bypass prior to the scheduled maintenance.
“As part of the process, the tank will be emptied, and the remaining gas vapors will be safely burned off by a licensed propane company,” the school posted. “While it may be quite the sight as you drive by, please know this is a standard and controlled procedure.
“There is no cause for concern. We appreciate your understanding as we complete this important upkeep.”
However, around 2:25 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, while multiple propane contractors were conducting the upgrade, some remaining propane vapor leaked out of the tank, according to Union County Fire Capt. Brent Long.
“They had pumped all the liquid propane out of the tank, but of course, there is some residual vapor inside the tank,” Capt. Long said. “They had burnt the residual vapor out of the tank as well.
“Once the pressure in the tank dropped sufficiently enough, apparently, they cut it off and were able to work on it. As they were working on it, they noticed that they could smell a little bit of propane.
“They were replacing some internal valves on the tank itself, and as one person was using a torch, the wind shifted and ignited the vapor – kind of just a flash fire – and that’s what caused the injuries to the individual.”
The man received extensive burns, at least second-degree and possibly third-degree, and was the only person transported for treatment, Long said. No property damage was reported.
Responding to the scene were Union General EMS, Union County Schools Police, UCFD Station 1 firefighters and an investigator with the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Maintenance resumed on the tank sometime after the incident last week but was delayed due to the accident and rainy weather, and the newspaper was uncertain if the upgrade had been completed by press time. A thorough inspection process will occur before the tank is used again.
School Superintendent John Hill said Saturday he is grateful the injured man appears to be on the mend, adding that he will remain in everyone’s thoughts and prayers.
As for the tank maintenance, Hill said the system obtained multiple quotes for the work, and that the contracted company, Mobile Propane Services out of Hogansville, came highly recommended.
Union County Schools has three bulk propane tanks: the one at UCHS, an 18,000-gallon tank at the Central Office, and a recently installed, fully inspected 30,000-gallon tank at the new Elementary School.
Similar maintenance is coming up on the large tank at the Central Office, with quotes to be sought soon, though Hill said it was too early to say who would be doing that upgrade, to potentially begin in July.
