Propane and snow helped ignite Cedarville Firehouse Fire

For those of you with PROPANE GAS TANKS....see below.

SEE VIDEO AT:  http://www.wktv.com/story/34166892/propane-and-snow-helped-ignite-cedarville-firehouse-fire

Fire crews in Cedarville responded to a fire at their own firehouse just before 9:00 on Sunday night.  
 Cedarville's Fire Chief Fred Sinclair said "one of our members was here and just happened to be watching tv and witnessed a small explosion out in the kitchen area.  Smoke and flames were visible outside of the building

 "We immediately got all our equipment out of the building and proceeded to start firefighting operations."

 Crews from Mohawk, West Winfield and all over came to assist the fire department and the help didn’t go unnoticed.

"It’s overwhelming but it’s not surprising we had guys down here from Poland and Barneveld."

Fire Chief Fred Sinclair let us know that much of the fire was contained to the back of the building and that weather may have played a role in this fire.  He said they are pretty sure propane and snow helped to cause this fire.

"We have a metal roof and all our regulators are on the side of the building and a snow load came off the roof leaving a big pile right up against the building.  Propane being heavier than air had no place to go because the regulators were covered."  From there it worked its way down the building and they believe it ignited from one of the pilot lights in the stove.  As far as propane goes this is a learning experience for the fire department.

"Keep the snow cleared away from your equipment.  Those regulators need free air to work properly and this one was covered up with snow and that’s why propane entered the building."

 For now insurance adjusters will make an analysis on what needs to be done to restore and clean up the building.  The Cedarville Fire department is in full operation and this is just another day.