Propane Explosion Sends Elderly Man to Hospital & Kills 200 Quails

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At 1:35pm on November 14, 2011, Clackamas Fire crews were dispatched to a possible barn fire. What was actually found was a propane heater had exploded burning an 80yo man and nearly catching his barn on fire.

The event took place at 23595 S. Beavercreek Rd., just south of Oregon City. An elderly male was trying to light a propane heater inside a barn to keep his birds warm when the explosion happened. He had turned on the gas to the heater and apparently too much time had passed until he was able to get a flame lit. Then, when he was able to get a flame, the gas that was in the air flashed knocking him to the ground, burning his head and hands.

This explosion was so intense it blew out a wall of the barn and killed over 200 Bob White quails. Clackamas Fire crews were assisted by a Fire Captain from Colton Fire who happened to be in the area and several deputies from the Clackamas Sheriffs Office. Lifeflight was called into the scene and landed in a field next to the barn.

The patient was treated on scene by Paramedics from Clackamas Fire and American Medical Response before being loaded onto a Lifeflight helicopter and transported to the Emanuel Burn Center.

When lighting a propane heater or grill, be sure that you are ready to light the gas quickly after turning it on. If you are unable to get the gas lit quickly, turn it off and allow the gas to disipate before re-lighting.



Author:Clackamas Fire District #1 Press Release