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.