BY TOM O'NEILL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BATAVIA -- The explosion at Auxier Gas that injured six -- four seriously -- was caused by an accidental leak of propane gas that ignited like a flash when an electric air compressor activated, state fire investigators said Monday.
Officials said workers were painting 500-gallon propane tanks Friday and, thinking they were near-empty, opened a valve. A sufficient amount of gas escaped that when a building air compressor came on, its spark caused a flash explosion.
The blast was ruled an accident, said Matt Mullins of the Ohio Department of Commerce, a spokesman for the state fire marshals office.
One thing that wasn't accidental, state and local fire officials agree, was the heroism of explosion victim Robert Woods, 48.
Mr. Woods, an Auxier driver and serviceman for 30 years, remains in critical condition at University Hospital with burns over 65 percent of his body. Three other victims previously in serious condition at University -- Eric Pottorf, Kyle Greiner and Josh Barnes, all 18 -- were all upgraded Monday to fair condition.
Two others, Auxier manager Tim Hendricks, 52, at University, and Jeremiah Smith, 17, at Shriners Burns Institute, remained in fair condition.
Mr. Woods "might have saved lives," Batavia Fire Chief John Bucher said Monday.
Mr. Mullins said investigators have determined that moments before the explosion, Mr. Woods realized the danger and ran to shut off the valve. He was at or near the valve just before the flash explosion occurred, sending flames 60 feet high and rattling buildings in a three-block radius.
His shirt burned almost completely off him, a dazed Mr. Woods stumbled toward the first firefighters to arrive. Batavia firefighter Brad Moore, who joined the department full time five weeks ago, said Monday that Mr. Woods told him "get everybody out of here. This thing's about ready to blow."
About a minute later, there was a second smaller explosion. By then, Auxier workers had been evacuated.
"That's just the kind of guy he is," Auxier spokeswoman Amy Roudebush said, "a wonderful person. I think it was a natural response. His 30 years (as an employee) says it all."
Auxier, in a prepared statement, said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with our injured employees and their families. We wish them a speedy recovery. On behalf of the injured and their families, we thank the community for its concern and support." Ms. Roudebush added that Auxier, which was open Monday, wanted to express thanks to emergency workers.
Ironically, part of the credit for firefighters' work goes to Auxier.
On June 9, 1997, members of Batavia Fire and Rescue, Williamsburg Fire Department, Washington Township Emergency Services and the Batavia Ford Plant Fire Brigade attended a liquid petroleum gas (LP) training class. The class, financed by Auxier Gas Inc., was taught by Ranger Propane, a nationally known gas-control training company. It included lab work and outside demonstrations, including containment and emergency shut-off procedure for control valves. Auxier's generosity did not surprise Batavia Fire and Rescue, which is directly across West Main Street from the propane facility.
A safe business
"He's probably one of the safest business owners we have," Batavia Chief Fire Inspector Glen Gregory said of Auxier owner Doug Auxier. "He's a guy we'd go to if we have questions about that kind of thing." Mr. Mullins said the state isn't required to do inspections at such gas facilities. Neither are local authorities, though Batavia Fire has done them previously as part of a continuing effort to improve inspections and record keeping, Fire Chief Bucher said Monday. It now does so annually, but prior to a May 6 inspection, the previous inspection was conducted June 6, 1994, revealing three minor violations that were promptly corrected.
In May, Batavia Fire Inspector Gregory wrote in his summary of Auxier's inspection, "all OK at this time."
