Roads reopen after explosion inside propane facility shook a community

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — Roads are back open after an explosion at a Douglasville propane company shook the community.

The explosion happened around 8:45 p.m. Thursday at Blossman Gas and Appliance on Highway 5, which is west of downtown Douglasville.

Emergency crews told Channel 2's Nefertiti Jaquez they started receiving calls after hearing several explosions coming from the facility.

Video from Channel 2 Action News viewers shows plumes of flames reaching high into the air.

Michael Hillman said he went to a parking lot of a nearby business when to see what was going on.

“We’re sitting there and the flames were higher than the trees at that point. And about every 10 seconds it was blowing up tanks,” Hillman said. “I was just praying, ‘dear Lord Jesus don’t let anyone be inside.”

“I was in our karate school next door. Heard a boom. Thought it was blasting going from new construction down the road, and then all of a sudden another boom and I heard, ‘Get out of there,’” witness Mark Maske said.

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Fire official said despite the gravity of what happened, amazingly no one was injured in the incident.

“When firefighters were battling the blaze there were multiple explosions. The immediate area was evacuated. Douglasville police and Douglas County Sheriff’s Department helped cordon off the area,” Douglas County deputy communications director Rick Martin said.

Martin said there were 20 firefighters and personnel that responded to the explosion.

Police closed Highway 5 between Highway 78 and Gurley Road because of the explosion.

They are advising people to stay away from the area while the investigation continues.

Blossman Gas released a statement thanking emergency response crews.

"We are in the process of assessing the cause and coordinating with local authorities. Blossman Gas personnel are on scene and we would like to commend and thank all emergency response personnel who were there."

Blossman Gas and Appliance has operations in 12 southeast states. The company first expanded into Georgia in the 1960s. The company is based in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Blossman Gas has had previous incidents in the metro area. Channel 2 Action News covered another explosion involving the company in December 1999.

A truck carrying propane exploded at the company’s location on Highway 16 in Coweta County. A chain reaction set off several more explosions. No one was hurt in that incident as well.

Cox Media Group