Father, 5 children hurt in propane tank explosion while getting toys ‘

Devastating accident’
The father and his five children did not smell the mercaptan, the additive that gives propane its ‘gas’ smell, upon entering the storage container where the propane tank explosion occurred………………………………. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal (SFM) determined that the 100-pound propane cylinder, which was believed to be empty, contained enough leftover gas to fill the storage container to “dangerous levels,” according to a news release issued by the state agency.

The father and his children entered the storage container in St. Paul on Nov. 4 to grab some toys, the SFM said. The children, who entered first due to the father being unaware of the impending danger, did not recognize the distinct odor of mercaptan, according to the state agency.

Mercaptan is the additive that gives propane its “gas” smell. Unbeknownst to the children and father, the spark from a cigarette lighter would set off the explosion, the SFM said.

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