Barbecue propane tank explodes, damaging Lethbridge vehicle and home

A propane tank on a barbeque exploded, causing a fire in Lethbridge on Thursday.

The Lethbridge Fire Department is reminding residents about grilling safety after a barbecue fire damaged a vehicle and home on Thursday.

Firefighters from four Lethbridge stations responded to reports of a propane tank explosion in the 2300 block of 13 Street North at around 4:45 p.m.

Once on scene, crews found a barbecue fire that had spread to a nearby vehicle and the exterior of a mobile home.

Crews put out the fire and prevented it from spreading further.

One person was treated by EMS at the scene.

The fire department reminds residents to take steps to be safe while barbecuing.

“Double check all of your connections,” said Lethbridge Fire Department Fire Marshall Troy Hicks. “Make sure everything is nice and tight, make sure the barbeque doesn’t have too much on it.

“I’m not the greatest at this either,” Hicks added, “But make sure your barbeque is clean. When you heat it up to pre-heat it to start cooking, if there’s any grease or anything on there or leftover food residue, that has a risk of catching fire and it can just get out of control.”

He added that everyone should place their barbecues away from siding, deck railing and other combustible materials and never leave a lit barbecue unattended.