Buffalo Propane Gas Fire
Buffalo, NY
December 27, 1983
The release of illegally stored liquid LP gas on the second floor of a warehouse in Buffalo, New York caused an an explosion of such magnitude on December 27, 1983, that its enormity was almost impossible to comprehend. The cause was a pressure vessel measuring only three feet by eight feet, containing 230 gallons of liquid propane. The vessel was being moved via forklift when it rolled off the forks, and a nozzle broke off causing the gas to escape. LP gas being heavier than air stayed near the ground. A spark caused the gas to explode. The explosion and resulting fire killed 6 people, including 5 firefighters, injured more than 70 others, and devastated 16 blocks. |
