What started the explosion at Sunrise Propane in Toronto?

Question

The house were there first, though, and then the propane plant was built. Residents say that one day "It was just there". No one who lived there was notified in any way.

Answer 1

Poor inspection. Read here for some more information about it http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_25671.a... It could have been a failure in the machines or a leak.

Answer 2

It just proves the Gorlitchi Theory

If you leave something in one place too long .....

Disaster will find it  

Answer 3

Probably a leak of gas caused a build up of flammable gas/vapour that was ignited from a heat source such as static electricity.

I worked in the chemical industry and static electricity discharge causes at least one fire per day on average in the UK.

At the ( Sun Chemical ) plant I worked at there were at least 3 fires in the time I worked there. The H&S procedures, training and attitude to safety were very good and given top priority yet there were still incidents.

I would imagine propane gas is a higher risk than than the flammable liquids ( Ethyl Acetate, TSDA Ethanol, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Hydrocarbon etc) that I handled and the housing developments near to the plant should not have been permitted.  

Answer 4

There are many different reasons but we have to look at the most likely causes.

1) A leak and a spark = KABOOM!

2) Lightning Strike

3) Poor maintanence of the vehicles involved in the explosion

4) Vandalist

5) Extreme pressure build up.