Improper Gas Installation Leads to Explosion in Orchard Facility, Injuring Facilities Manager

Location: Lake Country
Regulated industry sector: Gas - Propane system

Incident overview

At a fruit orchard and processing facility, an explosion occurred inside a mobile trailer containing 5 gas fueled clothing dryers. The explosion caused damage to the building and the facilities manager, who was inside when it took place, received burns and contusions. In 2019, the appliances were installed and converted from natural gas to propane by unqualified individuals who left appliance gas valves connections loose. At that time, the appliances were not connected to a fuel source and the trailer was stored for future use. In 2024, a licensed contractor sent an uncertified plumber who finished connecting the appliances but did not check for leaks downstream of the shut-off valves or purge the gas piping of air. When the facilities manager started up the appliances, he did not immediately smell the odor of gas since the pipes had not been purged of air and the activation of the dryers created a source of ignition that likely ignited the air and fuel mixture to create the explosion.