Richmond, Va. company supplied propane to Sterling home that exploded - WJLA
Richmond, Va. company supplied propane to Sterling home that exploded
STERLING, Va. (7News) — The 7News I-Team was the first to learn that Southern States Corporation based in Richmond, Virginia supplied the propane to the home in Sterling, Virginia that exploded on Friday killing a volunteer firefighter and injuring more than a dozen emergency response personnel.
Southern States Corp. has 25 locations in Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina and West Virginia.
According to its website, propane tanks come in many sizes, but the average delivery customer will need a tank between 120 and 1,000 gallons.
The tank at the home in Sterling has been reported to have been located underground and able to hold close to 500 gallons of propane. Early reports state the tank was leaking. Neighbors said they could smell gas before the explosion.
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When propane is delivered, it's stored in liquid form. When liquid propane expands to gas vapor, its volume expands by 270 times so tanks are never filled completely to allow space above the liquid for gas to expand. A tank is considered full between 80% and 85%.
Southern States Corp. issued the following statement to the 7News I-Team:
"Southern States is deeply saddened by the loss of life of the firefighter on the scene. Our primary concern and thoughts are with those who were injured, the first responders, the homeowners and each of their families. The investigation is on-going, and we are fully participating and cooperating with authorities. We have no definitive information to share at this time. We cannot comment further on the details of an active investigation. "
Thank you,
Jennifer R Gwyn
Communications Director
Southern States Cooperative, Inc.
The 7News I-Team asked Southern States Corp. if it supplied the tank at the home in Sterling and a spokesperson said they could not include any other details due to the active investigation.
At this time, Southern States Corp. has not been found to have done anything wrong in connection to the explosion of the home in Sterling, Va.
SEE IT: THE BEFORE AND AFTER OF THE STERLING HOME EXPLOSION | 7NEWS DRONE VIDEO
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