911 Calls: Propane Tank Truck Explosion posted 2/6/2012

VIDEO: Propane Tank Truck Explosion Home Video 10pm 2/3/2012

VIDEO: Propane Tank Truck Explosion video from scene 2/3/2012

VIDEO: Explosion Update 6pm 2/4/2012

UPDATED Monday, February 6, 2012 --- 3:50 p.m.

NBC15 has received the first 911 calls made Friday after the blast at Landmark Services Coop (12743 E. STH 59, in Lima Township).

To listen to some of these calls, click on the video link ABOVE marked "911 Calls: Propane Tank Truck Explosion posted 2/6/2012"

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UPDATED: Friday, February 3, 2012 --- 8:37 p.m.

NOTE: To view video of the explosion, click on the link ABOVE marked "VIDEO: Propane Tank Truck Explosion Home Video 10pm 2/3/2012"

Release from Rock Co. Sheriff's Department:

On February 3, 2012 at approximately 3:11 p.m., Rock County Deputies along with Fire Departments from: Milton, Whitewater, Palmyra, Clinton, Sharon, Turtle Township, Edgerton, Lauderdale-LaGrange, Beloit Township, East Troy, Janesville, Walworth, Fort Atkinson and Darien responded to a propane truck that exploded at Landmark Services Coop, 12743 E. STH 59, in Lima Township. Upon units arriving on scene, all employees at the business had evacuated the buildings and were accounted for. The truck exploding resulted in the main office building starting on fire as well.

Preliminary investigation at the scene revealed that an employee was in the process of filling approximately 3500 gallons of propane into his truck from a holding tank. There was an equipment malfunction resulting in the filling tube coming disconnected from the truck allowing propane into the area. The employee was unable to reconnect the tube and evacuated the scene. An unknown source ignited the propane causing the truck to explode and ultimately resulted in the holding tank exploding that caused the structure fire. Although investigations are ongoing, there is no evidence at this time that would suggest arson or an intentional act.

The fire scene was quickly contained and no issues were reported in regards to additional explosions or hazardous materials contaminating the scene. East State Highway 59 was closed between County line Rd. and E. Salisbury Rd. for approximately two hours. There were no reported injuries from employees on scene or emergency personnel. At approximately 6:31 p.m., Rock County Deputies cleared the scene of the fire. Total monetary loss to the business is unknown at this time.

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UPDATED: Friday, February 3, 2012 --- 8:05p.m.

LIMA TOWNSHIP, Wis. (AP) -- Crews have a fire under control after a propane tanker exploded at a farm cooperative in southern Wisconsin.

Rock County 911 supervisor Brian Becker says the explosion happened Friday at a Cooperative Plus facility near the city of Whitewater.

Sheriff's Capt. Jude Maurer says 13 fire agencies responded and had the blaze under control within an hour.

Maurer says the blast tore holes in the sides of a metal building where a worker was transferring propane from a storage tank to a delivery tanker. The worker was able to run out of the building before the explosion. No one was hurt.

Wisconsin Emergency Management says the truck, carrying 3,400 gallons of propane, was engulfed in flames. The fire also damaged a nearby building.

Wisconsin Highway 59 was closed but has since reopened.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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UPDATED: Friday, February 3, 2012 --- 5:05 p.m.

From our News Partner WITI in Milwaukee:

WHITEWATER — A propane explosion occurred at Cooperative Plus, Inc. on Highway 59 just west of Whitewater Friday afternoon. There are no injuries related to the blast.

Officials say a crew was filling a tanker with propane. A hose got loose and unattached from the hookup. That resulted in a fire and explosion.

A couple of other propane tanks are near the explosion site and officials are worried the intense heat from the fire could potentially cause another explosion and fire.

Highway 59 has been shut down as a precaution — in the event there is another explosion.

Officials say at this time, there are no hazardous materials concerns — and no fumes that pose a hazard.

Coverage from the Associated Press:

LIMA TOWNSHIP, Wis. (AP) -- Authorities say a propane tanker truck has exploded and ignited several buildings at a farm cooperative in southern Wisconsin.

Rock County 911 supervisor Brian Becker says the explosion occurred Friday at a Cooperative Plus facility in Lima Township, near the city of Whitewater. He says several buildings are on fire.

The Rock County Sheriff's Office and Whitewater Fire Department are responding to the scene.

Becker says it's unclear what caused the explosion. He says there are no reports of injuries.

The Department of Labor issued $721,000 in penalties to Cooperative Plus after a worker was seriously injured at its Burlington facility in February 2010. They faced other penalties later that year for federal workplace safety violations at both its Whitewater and Genoa City sites.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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Posted Friday, February 3, 2012 --- 3:45 p.m.

NOTE: Click on PHOTOS tab to view pictures from the scene.

Rock County Dispatch reports a propane tank truck explosion west of Whitewater.

According to Dispatch, the blast happened at Cooperative Plus Inc, located at 12743 East Hwy 59.

Emergency crews are at the scene.

Stay with NBC15 and NBC15.com for continuing coverage.