Emalyn Muzzy – The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, S.C.)
(TNS)
A propane leak at the KFC in Surfside Beach has closed the fast food restaurant and led to a large presence of firefighters trying to contain it.
KFC employees noticed the leak Monday night when they began to smell gas in the building, said Surfside Beach Fire Chief David Nelson. The gas came from a 500 to 1,000 gallon underground propane tank.
A natural gas company attempted to help, but it was determined the leak was propane. Since there were no propane companies available to help Monday night, employees called the Surfside Beach Fire Department around 6:30 p.m., Nelson said. When firefighters arrived, the propane was turned off but still discharging gas.
Throughout the night, the fire department poured water on the leak to dissipate the propane and prevent a build up or explosion. Employees from Blossman Gas came out Tuesday morning and began burning off the excess gas. Nelson expects them to finish around 4 p.m.
The leak has not created any public danger, Nelson said.
KFC closed Monday night and stayed closed Tuesday. It’s unclear when the restaurant will reopen. It’s power was also shut off Monday evening and has remained off.
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