Valley Independent Sentinel

Problem Propane Shuts Down Derby Facility

by Eugene Driscoll | Sep 3, 2010 3:59 pm

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Posted to: Derby

Suburban Propane on Water Street was shut down Friday because it had some of the problematic propane thought to be circulating in New England.

Propane, highly flammable, is odorless. An odor is added to it to let consumers know when there’s a leak. The problem is that odorless propane is circulating in New England.

The state Department of Consumer Protection sent out a notice Friday saying the problem was discovered after an investigation at a propane distribution facility in Massachusetts.

An explosion at a condominium complex in Norfolk July 30 killed a construction worker. Read more about the investigation here.

The Derby Suburban Propane facility may have some of the problem propane, according to state officials. Derby fire officials were notified of the issue at about 2 a.m. Friday.

Suburban Propane didn’t open for business Friday. They hung up on a reporter wanting to know when they planned to reopen. Suburban Propane officials at the corporate office in New Jersey weren’t available for comment Friday afternoon.

Derby firefighter Thomas Lenart, Jr. said the issue had firefighters on alert Friday.

“Unfortunately, you don’t know if there’s a leak happening,” Lenart said.

Apparently the problem propane still has a slight odor. Firefighters were advised to rely heavily on air meters to determine the extent of any leaks.

Derby firefighters did not respond to any propane leaks as of 5 p.m. Friday.

Click here for a list of how you can protect your family against the problem propane.

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