Safety measures on filling butane tanks still ignored
Less than two weeks ago, a faulty gas tank exploded at Brown’s Butane Gas Service on Mopan Street and brought a horrific end to a young employee’s life. Elton Herrera’s death was an eye-opener about the need to enforce safety regulations when filling gas tanks, but it appears that strict preventative measures are still not being practiced at another gas depot in Belize City. According to the Fire Department’s Divisional Officer, Michael Middleton, they were called to West Street because a gas tank that had just been filled was placed on the side of the street after the owner found that it was leaking. While the situation did not end with any casualties, Middleton says it could have led to an explosion.
Michael Middleton, Divisional Officer, Fire Department
“Mister Requeña stated that he went to fill his butane cylinder this morning and when he got home he found it was leaking so he took it out and left it on the side of the street. The fire Service responded and when we got there the guys reported to us. We called BWEL and BWEL came and BWEL took the tank away and took it to their station on Sarstoon Street. Another officer and myself, we visited Sarstoon Street and we did an inspection on the tank and we found that indeed the tank was faulty and was leaking.”
Duane Moody
“But sir, aren’t these gas companies suppose to be checking these tanks because come on there was just a sudden death the other day where a leaking tank actually exploded and killed this person. So why are they not practicing safety precautions?”
Michael Middleton
“The gas companies, I cannot say what they are doing from what they are not doing but when we visited Sarstoon Street this morning I spoke to one of the supervisors and the employees, and I told them that under no circumstances they should have filled this tank because these tanks are not safe. They need to properly inspect these tanks and if they are not serviceable they are not supposed to fill them. With that there would have been a slow leak within Mister Requeña’s—if he kept his tank in the house, there could have been a slow leak. Even if it was outside and this leak could have triggered off an explosion should there have been a spark or some kind of ignition of some type of flame or something like that.”
According to City Councillor Phillip Willoughby, the “Dangerous Goods Act” will be incorporated in the renewal of gas depot licenses effective 2010. That legislation will require the B.D.F. to certify that butane gas suppliers are equipped to provide the service while practicing optimum safety.
