Madawaska Valley Fire Chief Corwin Quade says it’s fortunate nobody was around when a propane tank exploded in Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan.
According to Quade, firefighters from both BLR and Madawaska Valley responded to the fire on Prince Road and Rockingham Road Tuesday night. Both departments dispatched firefighters because the explosion happened less than 30 metres from the municipal borders. Quade says it’s very rare for two department to be called to a fire.
When eight fire trucks and 21 firefighters combined arrived on the scene, a structure was completely engulfed in flames and spreading into nearby bush with a large black smoke cloud above. Quade says it took nearly two hours to put the blaze out.
Following an investigation, it was determined that a 30-pound propane tank exploded as there was metal scattered all over the scene. Quade says it’s lucky nobody was around as they could’ve been seriously hurt by either the flames or flying metal.
The investigation also revealed that someone had been near the building a couple hours prior to the explosion and tossed away a cigarette. Quade believes careless smoking is what started the fire and says nobody was injured in the blaze.
