An explosion caused by seeping gases from a 2,500-gallon propane tanker critically injured two Roosevelt men Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of homes, businesses and a day-care center within a one-mile radius of the blast.
Shawn Keel, 35, and Kelly M. Smith, 31, sustained second-degree burns over 80 percent of their bodies when propane leaking from a pump they were working on ignited, said Tim Trujillo, hazardous materials technician with the Utah Highway Patrol.The two men were airlifted to the University of Utah Burn Unit, where they were listed in serious but stable condition Wednesday.
The two were the only people at Shawn's Fix-It Shop when the explosion occurred just before 11 a.m. Tuesday. The repair shop is about two miles east of Roosevelt on U.S. 40. Trujillo says it's unknown just where the men were in relation to the explosion site when the propane ignited.
Keel, the owner of the shop, and Smith, an employee of R&R Propane, had just taken the truck in for maintenance when the blast occurred.
"We haven't been able to establish exactly where they were, but they had to be close because of the extensive burns," Trujillo said.
The blast leveled the structure, leaving only a contorted steel frame. The propane tanker remained intact.
The concussion from the blast was reportedly felt up to seven miles away. Windows were shattered and other damage was reported in nearby homes and an apartment complex. No other injuries were reported.
The first blast was followed by a second major explosion, apparently caused by acetylene or oxygen in the repair shop. Trujillo said four to six smaller explosions followed.
The propane tank was approximately 60 percent full, according to Trujillo's estimates. It had been taken to the repair shop after experiencing difficulties with a pump, Trujillo said.
"When the zirk fittings were taken out of the pump in order to grease the pump, it released the product still in the pump and it found a source of ignition."
Approximately 200 residents within a one-mile radius were asked to evacuate the area while the propane continued to burn from the tank. Children from a day care center just a few blocks away were taken to an LDS stake center.
"We were concerned because of the amount of flame being emitted and wanted to make sure it would vent properly," said Trujillo.
Traffic on U.S. 40 was detoured around the site for four hours.