At 1:04 am on Monday, September 1, 2025 (Labor Day), the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to the John S. Toll Science Center, Washinton College for an outside gas odor. Washington College Public Safety was reporting the odor of propane on the east side of the building, adjacent to the “Lower Campus”.
After thoroughly investigating, which also involved running a gas meter through the entirety of the science center, we determined there was an underground propane tank with a significant leak. The propane supplier (Pep Up) was notified and responded. After working most of the day to assess the situation, the propane supplier determined the culprit tank needed to be evacuated of propane, and the remaining residual product burned off.
This “burn off” is known as a “Flaring Operation”, where a burn tower is erected at a safe distance and hooked to the tank. The tower is lit allowing the remaining, unrecoverable amount of propane in the tank to safely burn off.
This operation occurred in full view of traffic on Washington Avenue (Maryland 213) and undoubtedly attracted a lot of attention among those passing by. This a completely safe operation, with no threat to public safety.
