The April 15 fire that shook up RV park residents and closed down operations at a popular Quartzsite, Arizona, propane service is still having an aftermath, two weeks later. Pattie’s RV Park and Propane was the epicenter of the conflagration, and owners tell us they’re working hard to get the pumping station back open. The Quartzsite propane fire is still having repercussions.
Quartzsite propane fire starts with dropped cylinder
Although many of Quartzsite’s snowbirds had already left town, there was still business to be had on that Tuesday. A man rolled up to the propane outlet in a van. It’s reported that a propane cylinder he was carrying in the back of the van had fallen over. When he opened the door to fetch the container, it fell out, striking the pavement then exploding. The customer was seriously injured and had to be taken to Phoenix for treatment.
By the time Quartzsite firefighters could respond, the propane station’s main building was ablaze, along with the customer’s van. The fire crew was able to extinguish the blaze without harm coming to any RVs parked in spaces nearby, but the van and the propane business building were total losses.
Business owner vows Quartzsite propane fire not the end of the business
We spoke with the business owner on Tuesday, April 29—a full two weeks after the fire. She told us that they have every intention of getting the propane facility back up and running “as soon as we can,” but are presently in a holding pattern, waiting for insurance interests to give a go-ahead.
While most of Quartzsite’s snowbirds have already “flown the coop” for cooler areas, there’s still a hot need for propane. One propane retailer in the area is shut down for the season, another major LP pumper is on reduced hours. The gas station at Highway 95 and Main Street is on a “hit and miss” basis for pumping propane. If you find someone who can pump your gas, good on you—it’s not always a sure thing.
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RVT1207b
Thank you for the news, Russ and Tina! This certainly emphasizes the inherent danger propane presents if mishandled. Good luck to the owners of Pattie’s. Hopefully they will be up and running soon. Prayers for the van driver’s health and recovery. Have a great day and safe travels! As the departed Michael Conrad routinely said “Let’s be careful out there (https://youtu.be/T2QApwtE8zQ?feature=shared).”
I’m a little confused about this. Didn’t there have to be an ignition source present, like a lit cigarette or something? An internet search asking this question seemed to indicate it could not just explode from the impact – it had to have leaked and reached an ignition source?
I believe the guy’s wife said the tank had a leak, the pilot light on a stove was lit, and when he opened the door to retrieve the tank the explosion occurred.