Driver lights cigarette and propane tank explodes, shaking homes in Virginia NBC4 Washington

[IronLionZion]

[Aussie105]

1. Hatch and doors blown wide open! Quite a bang, I imagine.

Does propane not have an additive that smells and allow easy detection of leaks?

[blue-wave]

2. Allegedly it does have an additive

From an AI search:

Propane is naturally odorless, but a chemical called ethyl mercaptan is added to give it a distinctive smell, often described as similar to rotten eggs, for safety reasons.

[IronLionZion]

3. Propane is odorless but companies add ethyl mercaptan so we can smell a leak

Maybe she had scent issues and didn't notice the smell. That can happen with some illnesses like COVID.

[mtngirl47]

4. Smokers have scent issues and we know she was smoking.

Probably not covid.

[Norrrm]

5. Safety tip... snuff and chewing tobacco won't do that.

[hlthe2b]

6. It is amazing the driver's injuries were not more devastating than described.

I wish her well, but damn, smokers... Carrying flammable or explosive materials (even that which you deem safe) is not the time or place to light up. Heavens!

[Aussie105]

7. As a smoker, I can vouch that the smell additive is effective.

Smells like overcooked cabbage to me.

Anyhow, I hope the driver survived - and gives up smoking.

I guess - third degree burns, blown eardrums, major hair loss at a minimum?
(Missed any reference to injuries.)

In it's defence, a propane + air explosion is quite gentle, unlike dynamite.
Relatively slow fire front wave progression, brief exposure to high flame front temperature.
Damage is done by the pressure build up.

Yes, I experimented in my youth.

Balloon with propane/air mix, string attached, light the string, let the balloon go.
And watch the fireball.

Not recommended, but yeah, I was a teenager . . .

[OldBaldy1701E]

8. Farmer's fireworks.

Balloon with propane/air mix, string attached, light the string, let the balloon go.
And watch the fireball.

We used these little rubber bags that an ingredient came in. They were stretchy and could be inflated like a balloon. We would use either propane or gunpowder and do the same thing.

We added the very safe feature of having to toss them. The ones we made were like old fashioned pirate grenades. Minus the shrapnel.

Like you said... teenager.

[twodogsbarking]

9. Most know of this. It is the reason the additive was started.

The New London School explosion occurred on March 18, 1937, when a natural gas leak caused an explosion that destroyed the London School in New London, Texas, United States.[1] The disaster killed 295 students and teachers.