Gas leak caused Newlands house blast
(CNS): The forensic expert who examined the house that exploded in Newlands on 5 June has said that the source of the blast was a gas leak. A propane gas leak was suspected from the start as the cause of the explosion on Bayfield Crescent, in which one person was badly hurt, three others were injured and a family was left virtually destitute. Police said the investigations continue into the incident, though they had already ruled out any criminal cause.
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Category: Local News
But the propane tanks were still standing in the pics/videos. Shouldn’t they have been blown up if gas leaked was cause?
Predetermined outcome, how very Cayman.
He concludes a gas leak. Good thing we brought in an expert to tell us that. LOL
Da kaboomz
The various photos indicate an explosive source inside the house. Propane leaks inside a house which are ignited produce a flash — often a very dangerous one — but because the expanding gas force isn’t contained, it doesn’t “explode”.
Unless they were fool enough to keep the propane tank near the middle of the house, something else was going on inside that house.
Oh shut up and take your tin foil hat off. Conspiracy theorists just don’t realise that 99% of sh*t that happens is down to accident/incompetence. The world really isn’t as sinister and manipulative as you’d like to think.
What are you so angry about? Do you KNOW what happened? Do I? NO. Thus, we speculate, based upon our experience and training. In my case, that is a very specialised training, and unlike you, I am willing to discuss all informed possibilities in an adult manner.
Add explosion investigation expert to the world class infectious disease and climate change experts here in the Cayman Islands.
With gas leaks, the house replaces the tank as the ignition chamber and someone just has to walk in. smell the gas, and haphazardly switch on a light – often the well meaning person trying to find the shutoff valve in the utility room. This is why anyone with a LP/NG hookup should have functioning Carbon Monoxide detectors. Did they have these installed? When was last gas vendor inspection? Was the oven on full blast with door open? Doesn’t seem like the investigation was looking to rule out foul play, or negligence, just complete the insurance claim report for the bank.
cut back on the beans.
No it didn’t.
If I remember correctly, the Fuels Inspectorate (now part of OfReg) had developed, but never properly implemented, an inspection/licensing scheme to check propane systems annually. Because there was a fee (which would pay for inspectors and administration), this was opposed by propane installation companies because it would raise the cost of propane systems and hinder sales.
While I am in no way suggesting that what happened related to any quality of installation issues, as things wear out or leaks can develop over time in piping under pressure, I do wonder whether an annual inspection might have detected deficiencies and tagged the system inoperable until it could be repaired. I also think the homeowner, in retrospect, would gladly have paid $50-100 or whatever the proposed fee would be per year to not have their home explode and to deal with rebuilding and insurance discussions.
I hope this example spurs the regulator to do the right thing and revitalize the inspections scheme for all fixed-piping propane systems.
A bit off the topic, but I aways wonder if fire and elevators safety inspection are regularly conducted in Cayman’ hotels.
If so, I’d like to see the checklists – in fact it must be displayed by the hotels for the guests to see.
You don’t need an inspector to check a propane system for leaks. Just fill a small spray bottle with some tap water add some dish detergent. Spray this soap solution on all connections you’ve made and look for bubbles. If you can’t fix the leak at a connection then call a licensed gas fitter to fix it for you. Propane detectors are available in the USA for under $50, these are about the same size as a smoke detector. It might be good for propane companies to start selling these and mandatorily add them to all new installations.
Let us know which companies here have a gas fitter on staff licensed by any authority in the Cayman Islands.
Trick question, yeah? There are no regulatory authorities in the Cayman Islands which test and certify propane installation specialists.
That said, Home Gas can perform any operations in a professional manner which relate to propane installations.
You do understand piping and pipe fittings are sometimes behind walls, yes?
A proper leak test checks for pressure drop, not just visual inspection of exterior connections and valves.
To the CO and gas detectors – they are mandated by code so all new homes have to have them if they have propane. All the installers sell them as well. Doesn’t mean they remain plugged in, or that they give a false sense of security but are installed incorrectly.
AS far as I know fittings are not permitted to be in walls by code where they are not readily accessible.
What was the size of propane tank? What is the explosive power of 120 gallons propane? What was the blast radius? The experts must know that.
Did the tank explode? Don’t think so… Typically when theres a leak in piping a space/room fills with gas until ignited.
What was the size of the tank? If the neighbouring houses felt as if its foundations have shifted, there got to be a commercial size propane tank, not the standard household size.
From what I understand the Vapor exploded I’m assuming from the leak probably internally. I don’t recall hearing any tanks exploded although this needs confirmming.