Hazmat crews respond to South Greensburg propane tank leak

SOUTH GREENSBURG, Pa. — Hazardous material crews and firefighters have hosed down a leaking propane tank at a distributorship in western Pennsylvania so the tank can be emptied safely.

Officials at Ferrellgas blamed a faulty valve for the Tuesday morning leak. No injuries were reported.

Ferrellgas is a national distributor of propane with 11 locations in western and central Pennsylvania. The leak occurred at a 30,000-pound tank at the company facility in South Greensburg.

“Approximately a 30,000-pound tank was leaking propane,” South Greensburg Fire Chief Eric Hardy said.

A road and railroad tracks nearby were closed.

Scott Brockelmeyer, spokesman for the company based in the suburbs of Kansas City, Kan., said the leaking tank is one of two connected bulk storage tanks.

Both were being emptied and any remaining vapor will be flared off before the valve is replaced.

“It could have been very dangerous. The problem with propane is it’s very flammable,” Hardy said.

Meanwhile, the morning began as business as usual for Gina Pomponi’s insurance agency.

“We didn’t know what it was until they started blocking off the roads. Then we went outside so see what was going on,” Pomponi said.

WPXI