ROCKLAND, Maine — Rockland firefighters spent much of Sunday night dealing with a large propane leak outside the downtown Trade Winds Motor Inn.
Crews arrived shortly after 8 p.m. A representative of Irving fuel was at the propane tank, having been called in earlier to check on a complaint of gas odor.
Upon arrival, he found a significant leak between a 1,000-gallon underground tank and the first valve. The Irving worker immediately called 911.
An Irving propane specialist team from Brewer arrived a few hours later.
Workers determined that the piping was too precarious to attempt to correct or drain the liquid until significant vapor pressure could be relieved from the tank.The Rockland Fire Department said this was achieved by burning off the gas using a large torch in the city parking lot between Winter Street and Tillson Avenue. This took about two hours to reduce the pressure enough to safely drain off the remaining liquid propane, according to Fire Chief Adam Miceli.
The fire department monitored the air inside the motel and found no gas leaked inside, so guests were allowed to remain there, Assistant Chief Mikail Mazzeo said.
Six Rockland firefighters remained there until after 4 a.m. Monday. Other firefighters had to be called in to handle other fire or emergency medical service calls.
The chief estimated that more than 10,000 gallons of water was used to keep the heavier than air vapors from accumulating and becoming a fire or explosion hazard.
Because of water supply hoses stretched across the road, traffic along Winter Street, Park Drive and Commercial Street had to be rerouted for about six hours.