Explosions, Fire Rock Delco Propane Company

Residents evacuated within a quarter-mile of the blaze

Firefighters responded to multiple explosions at a Collingdale propane company at about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday.

The initial explosion happened at the Scully Welding and Propane Service, at Oak Avenue and MacDade Boulevard, according to officials.

Three workers at that plant were injured, said officials. One was seriously hurt and remained at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in critical condition with severe burns. The others suffered less serious injuries.

Four firefighters also suffered heat-related illness, authorities said.

Witnesses told NBC Philadelphia that is sounded like a war zone when the initial explosion happened.

One witness who worked nearby said, "the first thing everyone thinks is we are under attack, so everyone started running out."

Youtube user bospecv03 posted this video where you can hear what appears to be propane tanks exploding.

A call for county-wide assistance was put out for help with evacuations and crowd control, said Ed Trait of Delaware County Emergency Management.

It took 30 different fire houses about five hours to bring the blaze under control. And crews were still dousing the flames with foam into the late evening.

About 200 residents were asked to leave their homes. According to Trait, officials were evacuating everyone within a quarter mile of the site. If ignited at the right spot, a propane tank can take off like a rocket and travel a that distance, Trait said.

Evacuees were sent to Glenolden Elementary School and the Folcroft Fire House, officials said. The Red Cross is providing food and water and will be updating the residents on the status of the situation.

By 10 p.m. most of the evacuated residents were back in their homes.


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