A propane tank caught fire today around 12:30 p.m. outside a residence on the 1500 block Gordon Way near Union Road - breaking windows at the house while damaging play equipment and a tree near the tank.
Local fire authorities are still investigating the cause of the propane tank catching fire, but members of the Hollister Fire Department, San Benito County Fire Department and Calfire controlled it within about 45 minutes, said Monterey/San Benito Calfire Battalion Chief Ken French.
"These guys did a hell of a job saving this house," he said.
French said the tank probably was empty and its design prevented it from blowing up.
"It did what it was designed to do. Had there been a malfunction, the explosion would have been catastrophic."
For safety, observers were kept away from the tank on the chance it might explode. Firefighters began spraying the tank shortly after 1 p.m. and quickly had it extinguished.
County Fire Marshall Jim Dellamonica said the fire started from what "appears to be a spontaneous combustion in one of the sheds." He added that there were three sheds surrounding the propane tank and that fertilizers mixed together and started the fire.
"It was accidental," he said.
The fire from the plastic shed heated the propane tank, which caused the gas inside to start to vent.
"The tank was doing exactly what it was supposed to do," Dellamonica said.
He went on: "Hollister city did a nice job of stopping that thing in the very beginning," Dellamonica said. "Between the two of us (Hollister and San Benito County), we made short work of it."
Flames could be seen from Union Road and caused billows of black smoke that could be seen from as far as San Benito High School.
The fire spread to some dried grass surrounding the residence but was contained by firefighters.
Colin McConville Colin McConville is a reporter with the Hollister Free Lance. You can reach him by email or at (831) 637-5566.
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