WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A construction crew working at the site of the new Winter Haven Recreation and Cultural Center struck an underground propane tank this afternoon, prompting a significant response from the Winter Haven Fire Department and a temporary evacuation of nearby residents.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. at the construction site located at 801 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Initial reports indicated a possible gas line strike by an excavator, leading Winter Haven Fire personnel to respond swiftly.
As a precautionary measure, residents within a 330-foot radius were evacuated, and a reverse 9-1-1 call was initiated for the immediate area.
Central Florida Gas crews also arrived on the scene and were able to determine that the damaged line was not a natural gas line, but rather an underground propane tank. The Polk County Fire Rescue Hazmat team was then called to assist with the situation.
Emergency responders successfully contained the leak. To safely resolve the incident, it was decided to “flare” the tank, a controlled burning process to eliminate the remaining propane.
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Once the flaring operation began and the propane started to burn off, the shelter-in-place and evacuation orders were lifted at approximately 2:20 p.m., allowing residents to return to their homes.
Authorities confirmed that there were no injuries to any firefighters, construction workers, or residents as a result of the incident. The controlled burn is taking place entirely on the construction property and is not expected to impact any nearby residents or businesses.
Construction activities at the site are expected to resume following a full assessment and ensuring the area is safe.
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