I had taken Kay over to Starbucks to watch the traffic and pedestrians when while we were sitting outside on the deck when we heard a huge explosion. I looked back and saw black smoke coming up from something across the street near the carwash. Within the next 3 or 4 minutes there were several other loud explosions but not as loud as the first one. But the surprising thing other than the ongoing fire was something Kay said in the ensuing video you will hear Kay say something about them blocking off the street without any hesitation. This is astounding because she gets so frustrated trying to say something that is in her mind but usually has to give up in frustration. This has been especially bad today before and after we went to Starbucks. But yesterday she brought something out without a moments hesitation. I've noticed in other instances where she almost holds a normal conversation.
What had happened across the street was a minivan trying to gas up his propane tank. Today I went over and looked at just exactly where it was on fire and looks like it might have been within about 15 or 29 feet from the above ground supply tank. If that had blown we would have been in a dangerous position in relation to the explosion. I haven't check the time line on my video I took but it seems like it must have been about eight or ten minutes for the fire department to get to the fire. This hard to understand unless the trucks were on a call somewhere or perhaps everyone expected someone else to call 911. The fire station is only about half or three quarters of a mile away. I never even gave it a thought to call. So the first huge explosion was the propane tank and the second was no doubt the gasoline tank. The others, who knows. Each scene of the fire was listed in sequence. There were three scenes right at the height of the fire that were missing so I don't know what happened to them. That's unfortunate because once in a life time an event comes to you right at your front door. My one good eye is so bad that I could not see details on the camera monitor because of the sun . Then the little viewer didn't zoom in sync with the monitor so when I tried to zoom what I was aiming at was just a guess more or less. The scene of the burnt up van shows this as I only got a picture of the top half of the van. It looked like there were some suitcases so apparently it was someones vacation going up in flames. Gassing up a vehicle or filling a propane tank in this hot dry weather is a dangerous business so take care. I myself treat these instances as if I was handling dynamite. For several years I was head operator at the Union Oil refinery in Edmonds WA so I have a healthy respect for petroleum products. Especially propane and gasoline. But someones vacation is a disaster plus their loss that will take a lot of money to get over. I really feel sorry for whomever owned the van. I don't think anyone was hurt. Two aid cars came to the scene but didn't hurry off with sirens going.
Bill Sheldon June 17, 1920. April 4, 2001. Four years in the 3rd Infantry Division WW2 His story. Find it at Four years in the 3rd Inf in WW2
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