A rush-hour explosion tore through a car at the intersection of Old Keene Mill Road and Lee Chapel Road in Fairfax County on Thursday morning, injuring one person and littering the Burke-area crossroads with wreckage. Fire crews quickly knocked down the flames, and the intersection was briefly closed while investigators picked through the charred remains. Officials say the incident is still under active investigation.
Fire units were dispatched at 7:34 a.m., and crews arrived to find the vehicle fully engulfed, according to WJLA. One civilian was taken to a hospital, and no firefighters were hurt. Investigators collected debris and evidence from the roadway as traffic was diverted around the scene.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue told FOX 5 DC that a preliminary probe indicates the fire was related to a propane cylinder found inside the vehicle. Photos from the scene show the car heavily damaged with debris scattered across the intersection. Authorities have not released the injured person’s identity or condition.
How Propane Cylinders Can Make Vehicles Dangerous
The Propane Education & Research Council warns that portable cylinders should not be left in closed vehicles and recommends transporting them upright, secured and in a well-ventilated area rather than inside passenger compartments. In a confined space, a leak can allow propane to build up and create an ignition hazard if a spark or flame is present. Following manufacturer and industry guidance helps reduce the chance that a small leak turns into a flash fire or explosion, according to the Propane Education & Research Council.
Why Officials Take Propane Incidents Seriously
Authorities’ caution is rooted in prior catastrophic incidents involving propane in the region. A February 2024 home explosion in Sterling, caused by a leaking underground propane tank and resulting in the death of a volunteer firefighter, is detailed by The Associated Press. Coverage in The Washington Post notes that the case led to criminal charges and prompted closer scrutiny of propane handling and delivery practices across Northern Virginia…