PROPANE FIRE AT KOCH’S TURKEY FARM IN WALKER TOWNSHIP

Propane Fire, Koch's Turkey Fire, Walker Township, 2-20-2014 (46) — Pictured through a 135 mm zoom lens are propane flames rising from a tank outside the Koch’s Turkey Farm.

About a dozen fire companies from throughout Schuylkill County responded around midnight Wednesday night (Feb. 19, 2014) to a propane tank fire at the Koch’s Turkey Farm, 416 Valley Road, in Walker Township.
The 40-foot flames, which orange glow could be seen in the night sky for miles, were the result of a 1,000 pound propane tank that had caught fire. The tank, located adjacent to 4 other propane tanks, was situated in a grassy lot about 175 feet from the main building. Arriving firefighters evacuating employees from the main building before attacking the fire.
The radiant heat spread as far as 450 feet away from the fire, according to firefighters near the scene.
“We are trying to do this as safe as possible,” said Dave Duffy, Fire Chief, Walker/New England Fire Company, during the incident. Stressing safety, Duffy said they are keeping personnel back during the fire, with the option of using unmanned devices.
“You never really know what to expect until it actually happens,” said Chad Felty, Assistant Fire Chief, Walker/New England Fire Company. “After evacuating workers from the main structure, we (firefighters) cooled the tanks with water and let the tanks burn out.”
“The pressure and heat from the fire resulted in an 18-inch crack in one of the five tanks,” said Felty, who added that four adjacent propane tanks fed into the tank. Felty pointed out that release valves on each tank are designed to relieve pressure on the tank, as to prevent a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE).
Responding to the fire were firefighters from Walker/New England Valley Fire Company, West Penn Township Fire Company, Tuscarora Fire Company, New Ringgold Fire Company, Tamaqua Fire Company, Ryan Township Fire Company, Schuylkill Haven Fire Company, Hometown Fire Company, Middleport Fire Company and others. Most of which were dispatched as part of the water tanker task force. Fire Police also responded and directed traffic and curious onlookers away from the fire.
The fire was contained shortly after 2 AM.
“Thank you to everybody that got out of bed this morning,” added Felty. “All the responding volunteers remained professional and worked very well together.”
He also stressed the township’s appreciation to Leiby’s Farm Market for having their dry hydrant plowed out. “Every second counts when responding to a fire.”
Felty said there were no injuries or major damage to nearby structures or vehicles.
Barbara Koch said via the Times News, “We were very lucky. Two of our propane tanks exploded, but they were able to contain the fire and there was no structural damage. We are working today and they are replacing the propane tanks today. We are very grateful for the firefighters, who endured a very long, cold night.”
An investigator is expected to determine the cause in the next day or so.

TamaquaArea.com Video (I was using a zoom lens, so the video might be a little shaky.)