A propane explosion that demolished a northeast garage has sent the homeowner's carpet-cleaning business up in smoke. Marco Carbone parked his carpet-cleaning van inside his garage on Marwood Circle N.E. around 3 p.m. on Easter Friday after work. He went grocery shopping with his wife, May, and was stunned to receive a call hours later about an explosion that gutted his detached garage and left his business van a piece of twisted and charred metal. "When something like this happens, it's devastating," Carbone said yesterday as he surveyed his backyard, which is piled high with blackened debris. Arson investigators were called to the scene Friday, but it's believed the explosion was likely caused by a leaking propane tank on the van. "We have to look at it as a lesson learned -- not just for us but for the entire community," Carbone said. "I've learned to stay away from propane-powered vehicles." The van that ignited the blaze had been Carbone's livelihood as a carpet cleaner for the last seven years, and he doesn't know how long he'll be out of work. "That's his bread and butter right there," said his father, Tony, pointing to the wreck. Carbone said the van was last serviced about six months ago and had a full tank of propane when he parked it in the garage Friday. The explosion also destroyed his work tools, a pressure washer and a compressor. But most important, said Carbone, is that no one was injured in the explosion. The force of the explosion sent debris flying six blocks and rattled homes along the street. The couple is staying with family and hopes the home will be liveable in a few days, adding their insurance should cover the damage costs. Source: http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2008/03/23/5081196-sun.html
Propane can be a friend or enemy. Look at gas cooking grills. If used right they are good. If wrong the above can happen! KS.
