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Butane Leak Caused Chateau To Burn
posted (December 7, 2016)

A gas pipe leak caused the fire that destroyed the iconic Chateau Caribbean. That’s the official report from the fire department. In a briefing today, Station Manager, Orin Smith explained that there was a leak in a section of the pipe connecting the butane gas tank to one of the stoves in the kitchen. That leak filled the air with highly flammable butane, and that’s what caused the source for the ignition which burnt down the building. Reports are that employees were in the kitchen cooking at the time. Smith told us this is not the first fire at the Chateau Caribbean and that there are measures that hotel and restaurant owners can take to prevent fires.

Orin Smith - Station Mgr, Fire Department
"The Chateau fire investigation had concluded. That investigation reveals that the fire originated as a result of a gas leak from a galvanized pipeline that was used to transfer gas supply to the main stove within the kitchen on the third story of the building. The pipeline had a small leak that I would believe eventually build up over time and this section of the pipeline that had the leak was within a double layer wall of concrete block and when that ignition took place that Sunday morning it cause a sudden ignition that sounded like an explosion and in actuality it actually was because of the build-up of vapour within the wall. It actually knocked down an entire section of the wall into the kitchen; the rear section of the wall is still standing. We did had an incident there with an electrical overload I would believe that incident I was given the understanding occurred as a result of a neutral line from the public service line that eventually grounded itself into the electrical system of the Chateau Caribbean and burned out some electrical supplies there. I do not believe that incident may have been directly involved."

Duane Moody
"Now sir what kind of precaution can business, restaurants take who may have a similar set up like that of the Chateau to avoid something like this from happening?"

Orin Smith - Station Mgr, Fire Department
"Good question. The advice I would have for them is to have a regular maintenance programme of their gas line and subsequent gas tank and any other gas supplied equipment within their establishment where there would be a washer, dryer, over, deep freeze, whatever it is that gas is supplied to. The networking of gas lines need to be maintained on a regular basis, also inspected regularly to ensure that corrosion does not occur. When these lines are in concealed areas they are not easily maintained or inspected and those are the sections of the line that usually goes unchecked and where possible leakage could occur."

The historic Chateau was burnt down on November 27th . We contacted the Lo family again today but they were not available for comment.

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