Propane tanks indoors
Mark Cancilla
Lieutenant
Haz-Mat Technician
Pittsfield (MA) Fire Department
Over the summer, my family and I had the pleasure to visit Pennsylvania Dutch country. We decided to tour an Amish home, complete with all the furnishings and devices used. One that took me by surprise was a standard kerosene lamp converted to LP gas. Under the lamp was a cabinet that contained a 20-pound gas tank.
The woman giving the tour also stated that this had become very common and typically would be found in an Amish home. I wonder if any fire prevention personnel in that area are aware of this potential bomb firefighters may encounter when entering an Amish dwelling fire. Firefighters have enough hazards to deal with, let alone a propane tank in the living room.
As fire service professionals, we must protect ourselves as well as the public from unnecessary hazards through state and local fire prevention codes.
