11:45 PM, Jul 27, 2016
TAHLEQUAH, Okla.-- Propane experts say the deadly explosion at a Tahlequah home likely could have been prevented.
Neighbors say the man was renovating the house.
Propane experts say when remodeling or doing any work on a home equipped with propane, precautions are necessary.
"Anytime there's an interruption in service any time to change an appliance out a customer needs to call us because you've interrupted the service,” said Jimmy Gower, Chief of Operations LaFerry's Propane in Cherokee County.
The ATF is investigating. Fire investigators say these explosions rarely cause a fire but the damage is often extensive.
Experts say the propane tanks themselves rarely ever blowup. The problem was likely a line running underneath the house causing the leak.
“There's a chemical added to propane at the refinery that gives that sulfur smell and usually if you get a leak in the house and starts getting the really low on gas and you'll smell that in the house,” Gower said.
And experts say that smell is a red flag— a warning to get out of the house immediately and call 911.
A propane explosion was named the initial likely cause of this explosion. The ATF is working to determine an exact cause. They say that report could take up to a couple of weeks.