Propane tank likely to blame for morning fire

Unfortunate placement of an emptying propane tank likely caused a fire in Overland Park this morning.

Just before 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1, crews from Overland Park Fire responded to a house fire call in the 1000 block of England Drive. First crews on the scene reported a propane tank in the driveway on fireand fire in the garage of a split level home. Firefighters confirmed that everyone was out of the house safely and quickly knocked down the fire, which was contained to the garage. There was smoke damage throughout the house.

Video: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/88190397/10024%20England%20House%20Fire%20VO%204-1-14.mov

The resident reported that she had set some old propane tanks in the driveway and opened them to let them empty. Unfortunately, they were close enough to the garage that the propane entered the garage and found an ignition source at either the furnace or water heater.

Because propane is heavier than air, it tends to stay low to the ground. Tanks should only be emptied in an open space well away from all sources of ignition.

Fortunately, no one was injured. Damage is estimated at 20-thousand dollars. The propane tank is believed to be the cause, but investigators will work to confirm the exact cause.