Exploding propane tank triggers brush fire in west Olympia Monday night

Callers reported hearing an explosion and seeing flames Monday evening in west Olympia that turned out to be a brush fire started by a propane tank.

About 6:30 p.m., Olympia firefighters were dispatched to the fire in the 1500 block of Decatur Street, which had created a thermal column that was visible from downtown Olympia, Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Bossard said.

Four engines and 10 firefighters fought the fire, Bossard said. Concerned about the fire’s size due to the thermal column, another engine and truck company also responded to the blaze, he said.

Bossard said the fire, now 50 feet wide and 50 feet tall, was located in a heavily wooded area about 100 feet from Decatur Street. He said the vegetation was damp enough that the fire did not spread uncontrollably and that water was placed on the perimeter of the whole fire.

It took about a half hour to extinguish the blaze, he said.

Bossard said the fire was started by a small propane tank in a homeless encampment, which is a common occurrence due to the pressurization of the tanks. Homeowners in the area were aware of the situation but none of them were affected by the fire, he said.

This story was originally published June 15, 2022 at 10:38 AM.