Acetylene Tank Catches Fire In Construction Area At Tate High School

May 9, 2022

Firefighters responded to Tate High School Monday afternoon for a reported acetylene tank fire.

The tank for an acetylene torch caught fire in the construction zone for the new Agriscience Building in front of the Fryman Gym.

“Since we cannot turn off the tank (due) to the burned-off valve, we’re waiting for the fire to burn out,” Escambia County Fire Rescue spokesperson Davis Wood said just after 3 p.m. “We have two units and a battalion chief standing by monitoring the situation.”

The fire was reported to be extinguished just before 4 p.m.

There were no structures threatened and no injuries reported. Everyone was evacuated from the immediate area.

Common construction uses for an acetylene torch include heating, cutting and welding.

Pictured: An acetylene tank fire Monday afternoon at Tate High School. Firefighters were unable to turn off the tank because the valve burned off before they were called. But they were able to remove a second tank (pictured below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

3 Responses to “Acetylene Tank Catches Fire In Construction Area At Tate High School”

  1. Jr on May 10th, 2022 12:00 pm

    Glad no one was hurt in this. So many factors could have prevented this from happening…connection tightened properly…back flow preventers. I would like to think the gauge was tightened properly and it just leaked but 9/10 times it’s due to improper tightening(lack of) with gauge. Just glad no one was injured…great job FD personnel.

  2. Pam Chaffee on May 9th, 2022 6:47 pm

    Thank you for what you do❤

  3. bill l on May 9th, 2022 5:36 pm

    Thank you fire fighters for your service and courage. Moving the second bottle, when the first one is already lit like a roman candle takes nerve. Much appreciated

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News