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Lexington Fire: Propane Torch Ignited Acetylene Tank In UPS Blast

Posted at 10:35 AM, May 31, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-31 10:35:28-04

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – Investigators with the Lexington Fire Department say a propane torch ignited a leaky acetylene tank causing the explosion that ripped through UPS freight.

The explosion happened around 7:45 a.m. Wednesday at the facility on Blue Sky Parkway.

Lexington Fire confirmed Thursday that their initial belief that the explosion was an accident was true. They say a spark from the torch caused the gas to explode. 

The explosion injured 8 people and caused a gaping hole in the roof. The driver who was in the truck, and the torch operator were more severely injured than the other six in the vicinity, but all are expected to be ok.