Friday, March 6, 2015

DECK COLLAPSES AND CRUSHES GAS PIPING AND PROPANE TANK IN WESTPORT, CT, CAUSING GAS LEAK






MARCH 6, 2015

WESTPORT, CT

A deck that collapsed under the weight of snow and ice at a Silent Grove North home Thursday evening damaged a propane tank and triggered a gas leak.

Firefighters, dispatched about 6 p.m. to investigate the report of a gas odor inside the dwelling and outdoors, found the deck had completely collapsed. The fallen deck -- measuring about 20 by 15 feet -- also damaged a 50-pound propane tank positioned underneath. 

The damaged tank was leaking propane, but firefighters from Engine 6 were able to defuse the threat by shutting off the tank's valve.

The home's interior was metered for gas buildup, but there was no hazardous condition detected. 

A Building Department official was called to the scene to check on the cause of the deck collapse, and confirmed that the primary factor was the weight from snow and ice.

Firefighters left the scene shortly after 7 p.m. after determining the tank was no longer leaking.