Firefighters Work to Prevent Propane Explosion at Mammoth Cave National Park

A propane tank burns after a tree fell on a power line at MCNP, damaging the valve and igniting the leaking gas.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Workers at Mammoth Cave National Park had a scare today when a tree fell on a power line and onto a 500 gallon propane tank that ignited when a valve was breached and ignited from the live wire.

The Park City Fire Department was requested to respond to the scene on Maintenance Road off of Mammoth Cave Parkway this morning around 6AM. Firefighters said when they arrived they saw where a large maple tree had fallen onto a power line. Both the tree and the live wire had landed on a 500 gallon propane tank that was 70% full at the time. Firefighters said the temperature of the tank had already reached over 600 degrees when they arrived.

Edmonson County Emergency Management Director Terry Massey, who responded soon after, said the breaching point for these types of tanks can be as low as 300 degrees, which could explode and level an area of 500 feet in all directions.

"You're talking about a possible mass explosion," Massey said. "Thankfully that didn't happen as Park City got here and started putting water on it to keep the temp down."

A propane tank burns after a tree fell on a power line at MCNP, damaging the valve and igniting the leaking gas.

A propane tank burns after a tree fell on a power line at MCNP, damaging the valve and igniting the leaking gas.

While the flames were not very large, it was temperature of the tank that was the issue. Massey said there was no way to shut off the gas because of the damage to the top of the tank.

The operation was very touch-and-go as the scene first unfolded. The tree was also on fire just outside a patch of woods, which was a hazard by itself. In addition, the broken power line was still live. Anyone working in the nearby office space was evacuated, according to those on scene.

According to Park City firefighters, Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company were the ones in charge of power at the MCNP location. The nearest personnel came from Elizabethtown and shut off the power but water had to be put on the tank as soon as possible to get the temperature of the tank down.

Once power was cut, firefighters then had to cut the tree off of the tank.

A firefighter cautiously sprays a burning tree on top of a breached propane tank at MCNP. (Courtesy Park City FD)

VIDEO: A firefighter cautiously sprays a burning tree on top of a breached propane tank at MCNP. (Courtesy Park City FD)

At around 5:30PM, Anthony Huff, Assistant Fire Chief at Park City said they had already put 15,000 to 20,000 gallons of water on the tank, which had been going on for nearly 12 hours. Two fire trucks were on scene, one belonging to MCNP, which is housed at Park City and in their care. That truck holds only 1000 gallons of water. 

"Luckily, there was hydrant right over there or we don't know what we'd do," said Massey.

Firefighters said Park City Mayor Larry Poteet brought breakfast for everyone this morning nd Massey's wife was bringing supper this evening.

Firefighters were still on scene as this article was being written. When asked how long they would have to stay, Massey replied:

"Until the gas runs out. That might be soon, it might not. Back several hours ago, the flow stopped a time or two and we all got excited but it shot right back up and here we are."

A request for a statement from park officials has not yet been returned.

No injuries were reported.