MEC&F Expert Engineers : PROPANE HEATER OVERHEATED AND EXPLODED IN CALDWELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, DAMAGING THE MOBILE HOME AND INJURING THE HOMEOWNER

Sunday, February 15, 2015

PROPANE HEATER OVERHEATED AND EXPLODED IN CALDWELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, DAMAGING THE MOBILE HOME AND INJURING THE HOMEOWNER






FEBRUARY 15, 2015

CALDWELL COUNTY, NC (WBTV ) - 

An effort to stay warm in Caldwell County landed one man in the hospital and caused a small explosion.

Around 10 p.m. Saturday there was an explosion at a mobile home on Antique Lane in Caldwell County.

Collettesville Fire chief Larry Price says the man was using a propane heater, designed for outside use, to keep warm after the home lost power because of the wind.

Price says the man hooked up a heater with an additional second tank nearby, causing it to overheat and explode. The small explosion had enough power to blow out walls and windows of the home.

Officials say the man was able to use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames before firefighters arrived. He told crews he got out of the house by shooting out a window and crawling out.

According to crews, the resident was conscious and talking when they got on scene, but he suffered second and third degree burns and was taken to the hospital.


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Dangers of Propane & Kerosene Heaters

Overview
Propane and kerosene heaters provide portable heat for taking the chill out of a single room.
These heaters can be less expensive to operate than electric heaters, which makes them attractive to homeowners trying to cut the costs of staying warm.
But if you use kerosene and propane heaters, you should be aware of certain dangers associated with portable fuel heater use.

Fire
The National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, reports that as of 2010, space heaters caused 32 percent of all home heating fires and 79 percent of all deaths from home heating fires. 

The main cause of these fires are space heaters that homeowners placed too close to flammable objects such as curtains or upholstery.  Consult the manufacturer's instructions to determine the minimum safe clearance for your heater.  

The NFPA recommends a minimum distance of 36 inches on all sides between the heater and anything flammable.

Explosion
Using gasoline instead of propane or kerosene in your heater could result in explosion, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
If you have a kerosene heater, use only 1-K grade kerosene. Store the kerosene away from the house in a container used only for kerosene to avoid any confusion with gasoline. 

Improperly maintained heaters could also explode or catch fire, so follow the manufacturer's instructions for regular cleaning of the heater's wick and chimney. 

Don't allow soot to build up in the heater. Take the heater outside to refill it, but don't overfill it.
Don't smoke while handling fuel or refilling your heater.