Lakeside Fire Fighters Respond to Propane Leak

Blossom Valley:  On October 25, 2010, at 10:48 a.m., Lakeside Firefighters were dispatched to the 10000 block of Blossom Valley Rd. for an odor of natural gas.  Engine 3 from the Lake Jennings fire station (fs3) was the first unit on scene and found a leaking propane tank near a house.  As units arrived,  hose lines were stretched and used to disperse the propane vapor cloud and occupants of the home were evacuated. Due to the size and location of the leak, firefighters were unable to stop it and had to stand by while the 500 gallon propane tank drained. Once the leak slowed down enough, personnel could see that the propane was coming from a faulty vent valve that had corroded on the bottom of the tank.  After the tank was empty, the homeowners were allowed to return to their home. During the two-hour incident, Blossom Valley Road was closed to traffic.

Lakeside units assigned to this incident included Engine 3, Engine 26s, Medic 1, and Battalion 1. Other assisting agencies were Alpine Fire, Cal Fire, SDGE, and a propane supply representative.