Unexpected Explosion

A routine gas-leak call turns explosive

On April 2, I drove Engine 4762 to Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Oconomowoc, Wis., in response to a reported gas leak. Road construction was underway when workers reported a strong natural gas odor. We were directed by the deputy chief to stage at the intersection adjacent the construction, and while staging, we spoke with an individual with Wisconsin Energies who was attempting to shut off a gas valve below the street. Several construction workers congregated around a backhoe next to a hole in the road.

Suddenly, we heard and felt a loud explosion and saw a large cloud of smoke and dust coming from the First Baptist Church. My crew immediately left the truck and found the nearest hydrant to hook to. I waited until the chief gave the signal, then drove the engine up to the scene and parked in the middle of the street, approximately 100 feet from the structure.

After we parked, I hooked up the 5" large-diameter hose to the inlet and gave a blast on the truck’s horn to signal to charge the line. We immediately pulled the 3" blitz attack line and 2 crosslays. While the crew was staging the hose, I used the deck gun to knock down the fire that was between the house and the rubble of the church.  By this time the flames were about two stories high. 

In all, it took ten departments 8 hours to control the blaze, which involved two neighboring buildings and completely destroyed the church.

We later ascertained that the leak had traveled somehow into the church, which was empty at the time, and was gathering there when it ignited. Several construction workers were injured but none seriously.