Big bang caused by toppled accetelene tank

A loud explosion heard last evening in the downtown area was causes by ignited gas leaking from a toppled 20-pound accetelene tank. Fire Department units responded to the alleyway just south of the Masonic Temple building on Main Street and officials later reported no injuries and no property damage.

Captain Robert Landry said a man he knew as the owner of the 50,000-square-foot building had been doing some soldering work in the structure, off the alleyway, and the tank he was using tipped over once he got back out onto the pavement and set it down. Residents of nearby buildings heard a very loud bang, Landry said of the resulting explosion.

Landry noted there was only one firefighter and the ladder truck left at the central station at the time because the rest of the on-duty personnel and the remaining apparatus was out on the bypass dealing with an accident. He said it was a lucky break there was no significant fire to deal with because one man and one truck was all that was at the scene immediately.

City records indicate the building is owned by Antonie and Virginia Fierro.