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Mission Viejo, California Propane Tank Explosion Causes Burn Injuries
June 25, 2008

The summer barbeque season is well and truly upon us, and the Fourth of July is juts a few days away. Amidst all the grilling that's going on, a propane tank explosion in a home in Mission Viejo is serving as a reminder about the dangers of propane gas tanks. Although there is no confirmation as to the cause of the explosion, there seem to be indications that defective installations or manufacture could have been a factor.

The explosion occurred at the home of 50-year-old Ken Kelly. The family was in their backyard enjoying a barbeque, a regular affair at their home, when the propane gas tank exploded. The resulting fire ball was at least two stories high, the family says, and the deafening sound could be heard in houses down the block. The impact of the blast was strong enough to send Kelly's 70-year-old father flying backwards from his seat into a brick wall. Chunks of stucco broke loose from the walls and ripped Kelly's knee. The flames singed his 11-year-old daughter Meghan's eyelashes, elbow and thigh. The other members of the family - Kelly's wife, daughter and mother - were in the kitchen, and escaped with no injuries. By the time the flames subsided, there was tons of debris and wire meshing strewn all across the yard.

Kelly had to be hospitalized for a 2^nd degree burn injury. His father too had to be hospitalized, and was discharged after treatment for bruises over his legs. Thankfully, help arrived soon, and the family was able to get emergency medical care.

According to Kelly, barbeques at home are a weekly routine, and he has changed and fitted countless numbers of tanks over the years. But then again, there's only so much your experience can do when the problem happens to be located in the installation or working of the tank and grill mechanisms.

In 2002, new safety standards defined that all propane tanks come with a new overfill safety valve that would reduce the risk of leaks. These new measures were to be installed on all new tanks manufactured. It's not known yet if the Kelly's tank fit these new safety standards.

There is another threat that has increased the risk of propane gas tank explosions, According to the National Propane Gas Association, methamphetamine users are using empty propane cylinders to manufacture and store anhydrous ammonia, which is used in the manufacture of the drug. After use, these tanks are returned to filling station owners. The ammonia corrodes the sides of the tank, weakening and thus increasing the possibility of an explosion.

As of now there has been no confirmation about the cause of the explosion, and whether a leak was to blame, or a defect in the mechanism, or some other cause. It's a fact that propane gas tanks should be carefully installed in order to minimize the threat of explosions and burn injuries. The Kellys as a family are lucky to be alive, and that there were no serious injuries.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of burn injuries. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

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