Tavares Focusing on Safety After Propane Plant Explosion
Thursday, August 1, 2013
By: Matthew Peddie

August 1st, 2013 | WMFE- Tavares city administrator John Drury says findings from an investigation into the Blue Rhino propane facility fire could help improve safety at other facilities around the state. Tens of thousands of propane gas canisters exploded during a fire at the Tavares propane facility Monday night, injuring nine people.

During the blaze residences were evacuated for a mile around the facility, which is in an industrial area.

Some businesses and homes nearby were damaged.

Drury said the safety of the facility’s neighbors is a big concern.

“There were other businesses operating with shift work, with employees, right next door," Drury said. 

"So it’s important to take a look at all those things, making sure the safety aspect’s looked at very, very closely as we move forward." 

Drury said the situation could have been much worse if the facility’s large propane storage tanks had caught fire. He also praised the emergency response to the blaze. 

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the incident along with state fire marshals. 

They’re interviewing workers at the facility to try and find out what went wrong.

Drury said findings from the disaster could help make other propane distribution and filling facilities safer.

"We’re going to be looking at it very closely and sharing that information that we get out of here to see if there was anything that can be gleaned that can have a positive effect on all of the other facilities that are throughout Florida.”