Tank-to-tank transfer caused explosion at Sunrise Propane, Globe & Mail reports

A hose failure that occurred during a banned tank-to-tank transfer process at Sunrise Propane in August 2008 caused a massive explosion at the propane plant that damaged several homes in a residential area of Toronto, according to a fire marshal’s report obtained by the Globe & Mail.
According to the Globe, the fire marshal’s report also suggests that even though Sunrise Propane adhered to zoning regulations in being located next to a heavily populated area, perhaps these regulations should be re-examined in light of the explosion.
“Consideration should be given towards factoring in the total combustible gas stored on site, adjacent land use and site congestion in the site approval criteria,” the Globe quotes the report as saying.
The blast sent a fireball into the sky in the early morning, causing an evacuation of a 1.6-kilometre area. One man was killed and many residential homes in North York were damaged.
The Globe reported that a $300-million class action suit has been launched against Sunrise Propane and the property owners.