Propane tank Explosion occurs northwest of Madison

A Lamont man was injured in a propane explosion and semitrailer fire Monday morning northwest of Madison.

The Olpe Fire Department, the Madison Fire Department and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office responded to 538 Road 20 after the fire was called in.

Ratcliff Propane Owner Travis Ratcliff, 46, was filling a propane tank attached to a semitrailer, according to a Sheriff’s Office release. Escaping vapor from the connection between the tank and a brass fitting ignited and exploded.

Ratcliff was thrown 15 to 20 feet from the trailer, his clothes on fire. He was able to roll and extinguish the flames.

Ratcliff was taken by personal vehicle to Newman Regional Health in Emporia to be treated for injuries.

He suffered minor burns to his face, singed facial hair and bruising. He was admitted overnight for observation.

The semitrailer, owned by David Farthing, 53, of Olpe, had been made into an office and storage for oil drilling equipment.

Farthing estimates $45,000–$50,000 loss in oil drilling equipment that was stored in the semitrailer.

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