Press releases

Edina Fire Department responds to fire fatality

Edina, Minn., June 11, 2010 – An Edina man died yesterday after catching fire while attempting to drill holes in multiple propane gas tanks at his home at the corner of Maloney and Harrison avenues. Investigators believe a spark from the man’s drill ignited propane gas vapors coming from the small tanks.
 
Edina firefighter/paramedics responded to a 9-1-1call placed from the home shortly after noon on Thursday, June 10, indicating a man had been found on fire in his garage. The fire was no longer burning when crews arrived. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
 
Investigators from Edina, the State Fire Marshal’s office and the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office are still unsure why the man had been drilling holes in the tanks. The case is under investigation, and official autopsy results are expected in the coming week.
 
“This is a tragic incident,” said Edina Fire Marshal Tom Jenson. “Propane is an extremely flammable gas. Tanks used for grills and other heating appliances should be disposed of properly and never be modified in any way. Even a small amount of gas and a small spark can have fatal consequences.”
 
According to Jenson, propane gas tanks that no longer support a flame can still contain enough flammable gas to cause an explosion. Used, refillable tanks should always be returned to a facility that collects and refills them. Smaller, one-time-use tanks can be disposed of in the trash after closely following the disposal instructions located on the label.
 
For more information, visit www.CityofEdina.com/Fire or call the Edina Fire Department at 952-826-0330.