Propane leak blamed for deadly blast in Norfolk
Fire investigators say a propane leak from a basement heating unit was the cause of a deadly explosion at a condominium under construction in Norfolk.
State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan and Norfolk Fire Chief Coleman Bushnell said damage to the heating unit was consistent with an explosion and heat from a propane-fueled fire. Coan said investigators ruled out an underground propane storage tank as the source of the leak.
Three workers were seriously injured in the blast last Friday, and one later died. Two firefighters and three other people were also hurt.
Coan says an inspection of other propane units at The Village at River's Edge also revealed a small leak at a tank fueling an occupied building at the development. He says that tank was emptied and repaired on Tuesday.
